Mark Pope shares 30-second scouting reports on every new addition for Kentucky

What does Mark Pope think about the roster he’s assembled in 2025-26? Well, it’s a good one, a group featuring 10 new additions with six players out of the portal, three high school pieces and one international standout. That’s to go with the likes of Brandon Garrison, Collin Chandler and Trent Noah returning from last season — plus Otega Oweh, assuming he pulls his name out of the draft by the May 28 deadline, as expected.

Together, Pope is confident they’re capable of making the run Big Blue Nation is begging to see.

“We have a team that is going to be incredibly competitive,” Pope told the UK Sports Network. “They’re all about competing with each other. They’re not scared of the smoke, and they want to come battle it out. … I can’t believe we get to do this with this group. I think this group is going to be incredibly special. We were blessed to have unbelievable guys on the roster last year, and with the guys we have returning and these new guys, we have a chance to go get this done.”

We know about the returning talent, but what about the new guys set to make their Kentucky debuts next season? It was part of a shot-clock segment with Michelle Knezovic, one that saw Pope take 30 seconds to break down all 10 of the additions making their way to Lexington this offseason.

Braydon Hawthorne

“Braydon Hawthorne is an incredibly talented young player, 7-3 wingspan, 6-9 — and probably going to end up as a 6-11 or 7-footer. He can shoot it, handle it, and is a great decision maker. What’s been exciting about him is watching his trajectory over the last year. He is growing so fast. He’s a big-time learner of the game of basketball.”

Jasper Johnson

“Jasper Johnson was the most dangerous scorer in all of high school basketball last year, and we expect him to be the most dangerous scorer in all of college basketball next year. He’s a homegrown superstar talent, one of the nicest players you’ll ever meet. Slippery, slippery, slippery. Gets anywhere he wants, can create his own shot. Forever, I’ll know him as KY Till I Die with the t-shirt.”

Malachi Moreno

“Malachi Moreno, you talk about great character and human beings. His mom is brilliant, his brother is so wonderful. This Malachi Moreno, if he was leading everything in the state of Kentucky, this would be a better place. He’s just a beautiful kid. He’s also 7-1. He is racing up the draft charts already, and he is going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

Reece Potter

“Reece Potter, super excited. Lexington Catholic alum, straight from this great state and this great city. He’s a tremendously skilled player who can shoot it, who can pass it. He is a great kid who loves the University of Kentucky. It’s going to mean everything to put on this jersey.”

Denzel Aberdeen

“Winner, winner, winner. When I say that, yes, he’s wearing a championship ring right now, but his DNA and what he’s willing to sacrifice for a team, what he’s willing to do for a team, what matters most to him is winning, winning, winning — for and with his team. He comes from a military family, he’s one of the finest young men I’ve ever met. He’s going to be a superstar here.”

Andrija Jelavic

“Andrija is special. He’s been playing at a very high level in Europe, he’s done an amazing job. He’s a 6-10 forward that can shoot it, handle it, can be a decision maker, could push the ball in transition. He’s going to be a veteran rookie for us. We expect huge things for him. I’ll never forget when I FaceTimed him, the tears coming in his eyes thinking about the University of Kentucky.”

Jayden Quaintance

“JQ averaged a double-double as a 16-year-old. 16 years old in the Big 12, a double-double as a 16-year-old. He’s going to turn 17, just turned 17. To be a 17-year-old sophomore here at the University of Kentucky? He is a superstar human being and BBN is going to fall in love with him as a person. He’s a big-time player.”

Mo Dioubate

“I was just with Mo yesterday in New York, visiting him and his family. He is a dog. I mean, this cat is an undersized power player — not a power forward or a power wing, he’s a power player. He shot 46 percent from the 3-point line on low volume last year. He’s an unbelievable playmaker out of ball screens playing at the four spot. What an elite offensive rebounder and the best kid ever.”

Jaland Lowe

“Jaland Lowe is a connoisseur point guard. You think about it, he almost averaged six assists per game last year. He can get anywhere on the floor that he wants to. This kid is gonna be a magician playing at point for us.”

Kam Williams

“Kam Williams — I’m telling you, this kid is special. NBA personnel are going crazy over him. He shot 43 percent from the three, but he wasn’t toes on the line. He was shooting at like 27 or 28 feet. He’s got incredible length, he’s got a toughness about him. He’s gonna be a great, great player here.”

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The Cats got some good ones.

Mark Pope vs. the Shot Clock ⏱️

Meet your 10 new @KentuckyMBB players in 30 seconds pic.twitter.com/PKyLcaSjry

— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) May 22, 2025