The Kentucky Wildcats are closing in on filling their roster. They have two scholarships for next season, and coach Mark Pope plans to use all 13.
“We’re at 10 scholarships right now. I have two really, really important pieces that I have to add. The 13th scholarship is a floating piece,” Pope told Chris Fisher of 247Sports before UK signing Fairleigh Dickinson transfer forward Ansley Almonor. “It could be a place for a young player. It could be a place for a senior player who is going to take a redshirt year. It could be a place for a project. It could be a place for a high-risk guy. We’re really dialed in on filling these last two spots. It is a priority right now.”
Kentucky Wildcats Targets To Fill Remaining 2 Scholarships, Hosting Former Vanderbilt Commit Who Is A Candidate For The Final Scholarship
According to Fisher, UK needs a proven “bucket-getter”. It is well known that Pope is in hot pursuit of North Florida guard Chaz Lanier and BYU transfer Jaxson Robinson. Pope was in Chicago last weekend for the G-League Elite Camp to watch Lanier and Robinson.
Lanier, who scored nearly 20 points a game last season and drained 106 3-pointers, is starting to make his rounds of visits. He is in Provo (Utah) this weekend, visiting BYU, and will head to Lexington for a visit with Kentucky on Monday. The Nashville (TN) native is expected to visit Tennessee at some point before deciding.
The following is a look at the players whom Kentucky is targeting.
Jaxson Robinson
Robinson was with Pope at BYU and has one year of eligibility left. The 6-7 wing has improved in each of his collegiate seasons and came into his own this past season. He averaged 14.2 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 assists while shooting .432/.354/.908.
Robinson reached double-figures in 28 of his 33 appearances, topping the 20-point mark five times. Where ever he ends up, it will be his fourth stop as he has already played for Texas A&M, BYU, and Arkansas,
Robinson has some options. He could remain in the NBA draft, head to Kentucky, or return to BYU. There are likely other suitors, but those have not been disclosed.
Wooga Poplar
Wooga Poplar is a two-way 6-5 wing who improved his scoring this season, but not to the degree that was expected. Poplar produced 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting .426/ .385/.864 this past season. He has one year of eligibility left.
Poplar may visit Kentucky, according to Adam Zagora of Zagsblog. However, 247sports’ Dushawn London reported that St. John’s, Kansas, Villanova, Temple, Ole Miss, Florida State, and Arizona State were also interested in the Philadelphia native.
Berke Buyuktuncel
Berke Buyuktuncel struggled in his first college game after being discussed as one of the best prospects from Europe in the class of 2023. Buyuktuncel has heard from several schools, but Nebraska and BYU are considered the favorites for his services.
David Coit
David Coit, a 5-foot-11 scoring point guard, has been in the transfer portal since mid-April. He has also heard from TCU, Louisville, Utah, Washington State, and Oregon State.
Baba Miller
Baba Miller showed some improvement last season over his freshman campaign. However, the 6-11 forward still has much more development, particularly on the offensive end. He has two years of eligibility left.
Kris Parker
Kris Parker has not played in college, having redshirted last season at Alabama. Since entering the portal, the 6-9 guard has also heard from Illinois, UCF, Ole Miss, Ohio State, Oregon, Memphis, Maryland, Miami, Cincinnati, Vanderbilt, Tulsa, Marshall, FAU, Fresno State, San Diego State, UTSA, Arkansas State, Kennesaw State, and Georgia State. He was a consensus top 100 recruit in 2023 and will have four years of eligibility left.
Trazien White
Trazien White is a four-star transfer who spent the last three seasons at UNC Wilmington. The 6-6 wing has improved each year, averaging 19.8 points and 6.8 boards while shooting .493/.390/.716 this past season. He produced six double-doubles.
White has also heard from Arkansas, Mississippi State, Texas Tech, Baylor, SMU, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Gonzaga, and Texas A&M.
Jaime Vinson
Jaime Vinson is a 6-11 210-pound forward who previously committed to Vanderbilt and will be in Lexington for an official visit on Monday and Tuesday, per On3 Jaime Shaw. Shaw said that Vinson is currently visiting Rutgers.
The 3-star recruit re-opened his recruitment in April.
“A high-upside frontcourt prospect who can immediately contribute as a shot alterer,” 247Sports national recruiting analyst Brandon Jenkins said about Vinson. “Offensively, he shows floor spacing potential and can score with a soft touch around the basket.”
