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Mark Pope shows Lamar Wilkerson the Winner's Circle at Keeneland

Jack PIlgrimby:Jack Pilgrim•04/13/25
Mark Pope at Keeneland with Lamar Wilkerson
Mark Pope at Keeneland with Lamar Wilkerson

Mark Pope wasted no time with Lamar Wilkerson once the Sam Houston State transfer arrived on campus, immediately taking Kentucky’s prized shooting target to Keeneland — just as he did with Amari Williams this time last year.

It worked for Williams, will it work for Wilkerson? The Wildcats are certainly giving it their best shot, the full staff in attendance with Pope, Cody Fueger, Alvin Brooks III, Mikhail McLean and Mark Fox, along with several support staffers helping out.

And they’re not just hanging around watching the ponies, they’re giving Wilkerson the real horse racing experience.

The star transfer and Pope walked El Magnifico — the winner of Race 5 — to the Winner’s Circle and posed for a photo. As they walk off, you can see Kentucky fans scream in their direction with Wilkerson giving a big smile.

Another look at the Kentucky staff in action:

It was all smiles for Wilkerson as Pope shared pleasantries to get things rolling at Keeneland:

Remember Pope with Amari Williams at Keeneland last year? That was his first official visitor after taking the Kentucky job, the 7-foot Drexel transfer announcing his commitment to the Wildcats just 24 hours later.

Can they recreate that magic with Wilkerson in the coming days (or hours)?

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)

  • Mackenzie Mgbako – F – Indiana – 12.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 43.7% FG, 32.9% 3PT
  • Jaron Pierre Jr. – Jacksonville State – 21.6 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.8 APG, 42.4 FG%, 38.2 3PT%
  • Lamar Wilkerson – G – Sam Houston – 20.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 47.7% FG, 44.5% 3PT
  • Rylan Griffen – G – Kansas – 6.3 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 37.2 FG%, 33.6 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

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