Where Kentucky's Transfer Portal additions, targets stand in ESPN's new rankings

So far this offseason, Mark Pope has added four players to Kentucky’s roster from the transfer portal. It’s already an impressive haul, ranking No. 4 in On3’s team rankings, but it could get even better soon if Lamar Wilkerson picks Kentucky over Indiana.

While we wait for news on that front, let’s take a look at where Kentucky’s first four portal additions stand compared to the thousand-plus currently in the portal. ESPN’s Jeff Borzello updated his transfer portal player rankings this morning. All four of Kentucky’s additions rank in the top 60. So does Wilkerson.

6. Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State)
24. Jaland Lowe (Pitt)
36. Lamar Wilkerson (Sam Houston State) — UNCOMMITTED
55. Kam Williams (Tulane)
56. Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama)

Kentucky’s frontcourt is pretty set — especially with the news that Brandon Garrison is returning for his junior season — but Mackenzie Mgbako ranks No. 68. The Cats hosted Mgbako on an official visit earlier this month. North Carolina transfer wing Cade Tyson, to whom Kentucky reportedly reached out earlier this week, is not in the Top 100.

Two prospects that Kentucky missed out on are in the top five of Borzello’s rankings. Former UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who committed to Michigan, is No. 3, and former New Mexico point guard Donovan Dent, who took his talents to UCLA instead of Kentucky, is No. 5. Regardless, Pope has done a pretty impressive job, especially if Wilkerson becomes a Cat.

Kentucky’s fifth offseason addition, Andrija Jelavic, is coming from overseas (KK Mega Basket, to be specific), so he’s not included in these rankings; however, there’s a lot to look forward to with the 6-foot-11 Croatian big man. Jelavic, who is 21 years old, has a 7-foot-5 wingspan and can play both frontcourt positions. Yet another reason to be excited about this frontcourt.

Mark Pope on Kentucky’s four additions

On Friday, Kentucky announced its four transfer portal additions thus far, complete with press releases featuring quotes from Mark Pope. In case you missed them, catch up below.

Jayden Quaintance (PF, Arizona State, Rising Sophomore): Big 12 All-Freshman Team and Big 12 All-Defensive Team; 9.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.6 BPG, 1.5 APG

Pope: “Jayden is a 17-year-old phenom who is as explosive as he is skilled, and he is just scratching the surface of what he’s going to become in this game. He’s an incredibly bright kid who is already postering anyone in Big Blue Nation in a game of chess and he and his family couldn’t be more excited to finally get to wear the Blue and White.”  

Jaland Lowe (PG, Pitt, Rising Junior): Third Team All-ACC selection; 16.8 PPG, 5.5 assists, 4.2 RPG, 1.8 SPG

Pope: “Jaland is an incredibly explosive, playmaking, veteran point guard. He’s a great kid who has a tremendous work ethic and most importantly, loves this game and wants nothing more than to win.”

Kam Williams (SF, Tulane, Rising Sophomore): American Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team; 9.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.4 BPG, 1.1 SPG

Pope: “Kam is a beautiful kid who is not only an elite-level shooter but also an elite 1-through-4 defender. He has a ton of gravity to his game and has untapped athleticism that is going to make his ceiling really high.”

Mouhamed Dioubate (F, Alabama, Rising Junior): 7.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.1 APG

Pope: “Mouhamed is a special young man who is a perfect fit for the way we play,” Pope said. “He is a ballhandling, decision-making, physical, competitor. Mo can play and guard all five positions and has a presence as a point forward which makes him uniquely suited to play for us.”  

Kentucky Basketball 2025-26 Roster Tracker

Here is a running list of who’s coming, going, or being contacted by the staff as the 2025-26 roster comes together.

PORTAL TARGETS (4)

• Lamar Wilkerson – G – Sam Houston – 20.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 47.7% FG, 44.5% 3PT
• Mackenzie Mgbako – F – Indiana – 12.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 43.7% FG, 32.9% 3PT
• Rylan Griffen – G – Kansas – 6.3 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 37.2 FG%, 33.6 3PT%
• Cade Tyson – G – North Carolina – 2.6 PPG, 1.1 RPG, 40.3 FG%, 29.2 3PT%

COMMITS (5)

• Kam Williams – G – Tulane – 9.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 48.5% FG, 41.2% 3PT | Committed 3/28
• Jaland Lowe – G – Pittsburgh – 16.8 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.2 RPG, 37.6% FG, 26.6% 3PT | Committed 4/5
• Mouhamed Dioubate – F – Alabama – 7.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 61.7% FG, 46.2% 3PT | Committed 4/7
• Jayden Quaintance – F – Arizona State – 9.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.6 BPG, 52.5 FG% | Committed 4/8
• Andrija Jelavic — C — Mega — 10.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.4 APG, 50.3% FG, 32.3% 3PT | – Committed 4/12

RETURNING / INCOMING (7)

• Otega Oweh – G – Rising Senior – 16.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 49.2% FG, 35.5% 3PT
• Brandon Garrison – C – Rising Junior – 5.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 50.9%
• Collin Chandler – C- Rising Sophomore – 2.7 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.7 APG, 36.1% FG, 34.7% 3PT
• Travis Perry – PG – Rising Sophomore – 2.7 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 0.6 APG, 31.3% FG, 32.1% 3PT
• Trent Noah – F – Rising Sophomore – 2.7 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.4 APG, 45.1% FG, 33.3% 3PT
• Malachi Moreno – C – Incoming Freshman – Great Crossing (Georgetown, KY)
• Jasper Johnson – SG – Incoming Freshman – Overtime Elite (Lexington, KY)

DEPARTURES (1)

• Kerr Kriisa – G – Senior – 4.4 PPG, 3.8 APG, 2.4 RPG, 27.9% FG | Entered Portal 3/31, Committed to Cincinnati