When Mark Pope accepted the job as head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, he didn’t just inherit a basketball program — he inherited the most scrutinized, storied, and pressure-packed job in college basketball. The Big Blue Nation demands excellence, and Pope, a former Wildcat himself, understands the expectations not just from fans, but from the program’s historic legacy. And now, heading into the 2025–26 season, he’s offering a revealing look at what’s going into the construction of his second Kentucky roster — one that’s set to reflect his basketball identity more than ever before.
A Fresh Start, A Fresh Blueprint
Mark Pope’s first offseason was a whirlwind. He was hired in April 2024 following John Calipari’s departure to Arkansas and had only weeks to piece together a roster from scratch. But even amidst the chaos, Pope managed to field a competitive team that emphasized skill, spacing, and discipline — values he’s doubling down on for year two.
“This offseason feels different,” Pope said during a recent press conference at the Joe Craft Center. “We’re not just building a team. We’re building our team — a Kentucky team that plays with purpose, togetherness, and a shared vision.”
That vision is rooted in Pope’s coaching philosophy: high-IQ basketball, constant movement, unselfish play, and versatility across all five positions.
Culture Over Chaos: The Foundation
Before he considers talent, rankings, or NBA potential, Pope starts with one critical trait: fit.
“We’re looking for guys who want to be here,” he explained. “Not just because it’s Kentucky — but because they want to play this style, compete for each other, and invest in something bigger than themselves.”
According to Pope, a successful Kentucky roster in 2025 requires more than individual star power. It requires players who will embrace the grind, live in the film room, stay late for shooting sessions, and buy into player development. He points to veterans like Brandon Garrison and Trent Noah as early tone-setters.
“Brandon came back to be a leader,” Pope said. “He’s a guy who brings the gym alive. He talks on defense, sets the right screen, makes the extra pass. That’s the kind of player who wins you games in March.”
Balancing Experience and Youth
Pope is constructing his 2025–26 team with a careful balance of seasoned players and elite freshmen. His staff, including assistant coaches Cody Fueger and Jason Hart, has scoured the transfer portal and high school landscape for players who can mesh together in both talent and temperament.
The returning core features:
- Brandon Garrison (6’11” F/C): A defensive anchor with Big 12 experience, Garrison returns as a leader in the paint.
- Trent Noah (6’6″ G/F): The Kentucky native provides shooting and toughness on the wing.
- Collin Chandler (6’4″ G): An explosive scorer and relentless defender who gives Pope flexibility in the backcourt.
To complement this group, Pope added promising freshmen who bring star upside:
- Jasper Johnson (6’4″ G): A five-star scoring guard who can create off the dribble and knock down threes.
- Malachi Moreno (7’0″ C): An elite shot blocker and floor-runner, Moreno is a modern rim protector.
- Acaden Lewis (6’2″ PG): A floor general who thrives in transition and plays with mature pace and decision-making.
The Transfer Portal: Strategic Additions
Unlike the chaotic scramble of 2024, this year’s portal strategy has been deliberate and disciplined.
“We’re not just collecting names,” Pope said. “We’re looking for guys who fill specific roles and raise our ceiling.”
Among the key additions is Jaland Lowe, a former Memphis guard who withdrew from the NBA Draft to play for Kentucky. Lowe is expected to be the Wildcats’ primary ball-handler and offensive initiator.
“He’s electric,” Pope said. “He changes pace, sees the floor, and competes on every possession. He wants to be coached, and he wants to win.”
Other transfer additions include:
- Jayden Quaintance (6’10” F): A physical, high-motor big man who can defend multiple positions.
- Mouhamed Dioubate (6’7″ F): A gritty, rebounding forward who brings toughness and rebounding off the bench.
- Amari Williams (6’10” C): A graduate transfer from Drexel who adds experience, rim protection, and vocal leadership in the locker room.
Pope sees these players not as stopgaps, but as stabilizers — guys who can step in and contribute immediately, particularly in physical SEC matchups.
Offensive Identity: Space, Pace, and Passing
If there’s one area where Pope’s identity will be most visible, it’s the offensive end.
“We want to play fast — but not in chaos,” Pope emphasized. “It’s pace with purpose.”
Kentucky’s offense under Pope will feature five players who can dribble, pass, and shoot. That means traditional positions blur, and ball movement is paramount. Think horns sets, pick-and-pop bigs, flare screens, and drive-and-kick threes. It’s basketball rooted in NBA concepts — but with a college-level ferocity.
“Spacing is non-negotiable,” Pope said. “We stretch defenses to open up driving lanes and create open shots. You can’t play for us if you can’t make the extra pass or knock down an open look.”
Freshman Jasper Johnson and sophomore Collin Chandler are two players expected to thrive in that environment. Both have the shooting range and decision-making Pope covets.
Defensive Mindset: Switching, Disrupting, and Rebounding
On the other end, Pope is building a defense that can switch seamlessly while still dominating the glass. With bigs like Garrison, Moreno, and Quaintance patrolling the interior, Kentucky will emphasize rim protection and rebounding. Guards will be expected to fight through screens, communicate constantly, and contest every shot.
“We don’t want to foul, and we don’t want to gamble,” Pope said. “But we want to be a team that’s in your face for 40 minutes.”
Pope also plans to use more full-court pressure in stretches, particularly with athletic guards like Lewis and Chandler who can disrupt opposing ball handlers.
Chemistry, Not Just Depth
While the 2025–26 roster looks deep on paper, Pope knows that chemistry is what turns talent into wins. To that end, offseason team-building has been a focal point. The players have already participated in weekend retreats, film room breakdowns, and summer workouts focused on shared accountability.
“Basketball is trust,” Pope said. “And trust is built every day — in the locker room, in conditioning, in how you talk to each other on the floor.”
He’s leaned on veterans like Garrison and Chandler to set the tone, but he also credits the freshmen for arriving ready to work and learn.
“This group has no egos,” he added. “They’re hungry and they listen.”
Still One Spot Left: What Comes Next?
As of late May 2025, Kentucky still has one open scholarship. Pope acknowledged that he’s in no rush to fill it, preferring to wait for the right piece.
“We want the right guy, not just a name,” he said. “It could be a freshman who redshirts, a late portal entry, or a high-character veteran who wants to finish his career with a shot at a title.”
That flexibility — and patience — is something Pope didn’t have last spring. Now, he’s taking full advantage.
A Coach Who Gets It
Mark Pope’s deep ties to Kentucky give him an understanding that can’t be taught. He knows the pressure, but he also knows the privilege.
“This is the gold standard,” he said. “And every decision we make — from who we recruit, to how we play, to how we treat people — reflects that.”
As the 2025–26 season approaches, Pope is confident that he’s building not just a roster, but a legacy. One that can honor Kentucky’s tradition while blazing a bold new path.
“You don’t win championships in March,” he said. “You win them now — in the gym, in the film room, with every rep, every sprint, every decision.
