Mark Pope talks Kentucky Basketball roster, Malachi Moreno’s NBA decision and more
Kentucky Basketball coach Mark Pope addressed fan concerns Wednesday, answering questions about recruiting, the transfer portal and the Wildcats’ roster outlook heading into the 2026-27 season.
With some frustration building among fans following the missed recruiting goals, Pope posted a three-minute video to social media to provide clarity on the direction of the program. One of the topics centered on the NIL and whether Kentucky is being used as leverage by recruits. The Pope did not shy away from the question.
Announcement
“Yes, we are the biggest brand in college basketball,” Pope said during the video.
Recruiting was another major focus, especially after Kentucky missed out on several prospects in the class of 2026. Pope explained that while the staff aimed to bring as many elite players to campus as possible, their focus was heavily on 5-star forward Tyran Stokes.
“This year we were chasing a generational talent and fell short, but we weren’t sitting on our hands. We put together a roster we’ll love to watch and smashed it at Rupp Arena,” Pope said.
The center position also remains a key factor, with Malachi Moreno currently testing the NBA Draft waters. Pope stressed that Kentucky fully supports Moreno through the process, continuing to investigate the position.
Announcement
“Malachi Moreno was our No. 1 priority for us heading into this Portal season. We think he’s going to be the best center in all of college basketball next year here at Kentucky. He’s also going through the (NBA) Draft process. He had a great workout just last night for an NBA team.
“He’s going to the (NBA) Combine next week and we will support him every step of the way. This is the place where basketball dreams come true and Malachi has two dreams, he dreams of hanging a banner at Kentucky and he also dreams of playing in the NBA, so we support him in pursuing both. At the same time, we are working hard in the portal to support this 5th place finish.”
“We will have an incredible crew in the central location.”
As the offseason continues, Pope made it clear that Kentucky remains active in the portal and confident the roster will be assembled for next season.