Kentucky basketball under Mark Pope: Transfer portal news, 2024 roster, targets, recruits by SEC experts

The John Calipari era at Kentucky is in the rearview mirror, and the Mark Pope chapter is underway. Calipari’s teams faltered in the NCAA Tournament in recent years after many deep runs early in his tenure. Pope is dealing with the pressure of building a Kentucky basketball roster from scratch after every scholarship player from last year’s team departed. He had success at Utah Valley and BYU, but is winless in two NCAA Tournament appearances prior to taking this job. He can relate to Kentucky basketball recruits as a former national champion during his playing days for the Wildcats and is coaching one of the premier programs in the country.

Pope’s success starts with what he can accomplish in the next few months as he targets multiple players from the college basketball transfer portal. If you love the Wildcats, or just want the latest roster updates and college basketball transfer portal news, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at CatsPause, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Kentucky.

The team of insiders at CatsPause.com are providing up-to-the-minute scoop on the latest intel surrounding the Kentucky basketball coaching transition and roster changes. CatsPause has built a solid reputation over its 20+ years covering the Wildcats, and has deep-rooted sources inside and around the Kentucky athletic department. And right now, CatsPause is offering 50% off the first year of an annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up.

The team at CatsPause has full coverage of who is coming and who is going on the Kentucky basketball roster. Head to CatsPause now to see all the insider info.

Kentucky basketball roster departures 

The 2024-25 Kentucky basketball roster is quickly starting to take shape, as Pope landed another key player earlier this week. San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler, the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year last season, committed to Kentucky as one of the top players from the college basketball transfer portal. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 27.6 minutes per game and has played in 11 career NCAA Tournament games.

Kentucky’s defense is already looking like a strength, as three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year Amari Williams also committed earlier this month. He averaged 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 blocks per game for Drexel last season. Pope also has a pair of recruits committed in Travis Perry and Collin Chandler and is hosting multiple visitors in the coming days. Join CatsPause to see the latest on all of Kentucky’s roster changes. 

Kentucky basketball news, roster

Andrej Stojakovic, the son of 13-year NBA veteran Peja Stojakovic, has also visited Kentucky after entering the college basketball transfer portal following playing his freshman at Stanford. Stojakovic, a 6-foot-7 guard, averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds over 22.3 minutes as a freshman. Like his father, Stojakovic is a capable shooter from beyond the arc, averaging 1.1 made 3-pointers while shooting 32.7% from deep as a freshman.

Stojakovic played in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game after starring at Jesuit High School in California. Along with Kentucky, Stojakovic has North Carolina and Cal in his reported final three schools. Stojakovic would bring a rare combination of size and shooting to help Kentucky run and space the floor if they can land the four-star recruit who was ranked inside the top 25 in the country in his high school class. Join CatsPause to get the latest on all of Kentucky’s roster additions. 

How to get insider Kentucky basketball roster updates

Pope could also be bringing at least one big-time BYU player with him, so be sure to join CatsPause to see who that is and get the rest of the insider roster news. 

Who are the top names Kentucky basketball is pursuing under coach Mark Pope, and what former BYU player could land in Lexington? Go to CatsPause to see their insider information, all from a team of reporters with years of experience covering the Wildcats, and find out. And reminder, CatsPause is offering 50% off the first year of an annual VIP membership*, so subscribe now before it’s too late.

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