Helena Frye
As of March 2025, Kentucky's 2024-25 basketball season has come to an end. The team faced injuries to key players, including Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, and Jaxson Robinson, who was sidelined with a season-ending wrist injury. Despite these setbacks, the Cats advanced past the first week of the tournament for the first time since 2019. Now, the focus shifts to the offseason, with attention on retaining key players and filling roster spots for the next season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Status of Kentucky's basketball season | Finished |
| The team's performance | Kentucky tied the record for most wins over AP Top 15 teams with eight. |
| Injuries hampered the 2024-25 campaign. | |
| The Cats advanced past the first week of the tournament for the first time since 2019. | |
| Players leaving | Six players on Pope's first team have exhausted their college eligibility. |
| Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, and Amari Williams are done with college basketball. | |
| Jaxson Robinson, a starter, is out of NCAA eligibility due to a season-ending wrist injury. | |
| Players who might return | Otega Oweh, Kentucky's leading scorer, has one more season of NCAA eligibility remaining. |
| Chandler's comments indicate he will likely be back in Lexington next season. |
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What You'll Learn
- Kentucky's 2024-25 basketball season is finished
- The team's leading scorer, Otega Oweh, has one more season of NCAA eligibility remaining
- Four of the Wildcats' starters are done with college basketball
- Kriisa may return to Europe to begin his professional career
- Kentucky has played Tennessee twice this season, winning both games
Kentucky's 2024-25 basketball season is finished
The team's leading scorer, Otega Oweh, has one more season of NCAA eligibility remaining. However, he is expected to go through the NBA draft process, so his return to the team is uncertain. Other players whose futures with the team are unclear include Kriisa, who is from Estonia and has hinted at potentially returning to Europe to begin his professional career, and Chandler, who spoke about the legacy of the team's seniors but did not confirm his own plans.
The coaching staff, led by Pope, will now focus on the offseason and making roster changes. They are expected to pursue a veteran, defensive-minded point guard in the transfer portal to complement incoming freshmen Jasper Johnson and Acaden Lewis. The team will also look to build on their successes this season, such as tying the record for most wins over AP top 15 teams with eight and completing a season sweep over Tennessee.
Overall, while Kentucky's 2024-25 basketball season is finished, there are many questions about the future of the team, including which players will return and how the coaching staff will adapt and make changes during the offseason.
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The team's leading scorer, Otega Oweh, has one more season of NCAA eligibility remaining
Kentucky's basketball season is over, and the team's leading scorer, Otega Oweh, has one more season of NCAA eligibility remaining. Oweh, a 6-foot-4 guard, played his first two years of college basketball at Oklahoma before transferring to Kentucky. In his debut for the Wildcats, he scored a team-high 21 points. Oweh has been a key player for Kentucky, with his offensive game expanding under coach Pope. He has had several impressive performances, including scoring 21 points with 12 rebounds against Vanderbilt, and 15 points with eight rebounds against Mississippi State. He also played a significant role in Kentucky's upset of Duke, contributing 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Oweh's strong season has put him in a promising position regarding his future career. He has the option to return to Kentucky for another season, which would be a significant achievement for coach Pope and his staff as they aim for roster continuity. However, Oweh is also considering his professional career options. He has attracted attention from the NBA and has gone through the NBA draft process, although he ultimately withdrew from the draft, deciding to return to Kentucky for his remaining season of eligibility. This decision provides Oweh with the opportunity to further develop his skills and potentially increase his prospects for a successful professional career.
Otega Oweh's decision to remain with the Kentucky Wildcats for another season is a testament to the program's appeal and the benefits it offers to talented players. Kentucky's reputation and history of producing outstanding basketball players have likely influenced Oweh's choice to continue his collegiate career with the team. The Wildcats provide a platform for players to showcase their abilities on a prominent stage, enhancing their exposure and potential recruitment opportunities at the professional level.
Oweh's return to Kentucky for the next season holds significant advantages for both the player and the team. For Oweh, it represents an opportunity to refine his skills, improve his draft stock, and solidify his position as a promising prospect for the NBA. By opting to play for a prestigious program like Kentucky, Oweh gains access to top-notch coaching, resources, and competition. This environment allows him to further elevate his game and address any areas of improvement identified by NBA scouts. Additionally, by staying in college, Oweh can continue his education and benefit from the academic support systems in place for student-athletes.
The Kentucky Wildcats, on the other hand, benefit tremendously from retaining a player of Otega Oweh's calibre. His decision to stay demonstrates a commitment to the program and contributes to the team's stability and continuity. Oweh's leadership, experience, and scoring prowess will be invaluable assets for the Wildcats during the upcoming season. His presence on the court will not only enhance the team's offensive capabilities but also provide mentorship and guidance for younger players. Oweh's return helps maintain the team's competitiveness and could potentially attract additional talented recruits who seek to play alongside established stars. Overall, Otega Oweh's decision to remain with the Kentucky Wildcats sets the stage for a promising season ahead, benefiting both his individual development and the team's success.
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Four of the Wildcats' starters are done with college basketball
Kentucky's basketball season is finished, and the Wildcats are looking ahead to the offseason. While the team won't require as much rebuilding as last year, several spots will need to be filled. Six players on Pope's first team have exhausted their college eligibility, including four of the Wildcats' starters from Friday night's game: Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, and Amari Williams.
Koby Brea, a talented guard, has been a key contributor to the Wildcats' success this season. With his college basketball career coming to a close, Brea leaves a lasting impact on the team. Lamont Butler, another starter, also concluded his college basketball journey. Butler's performance on the court, coupled with his dedication to the team, will be missed.
Andrew Carr, a versatile forward, was an integral part of the Wildcats' frontcourt. His all-around game and leadership qualities will leave a void for the team to fill. Amari Williams, a dominant force in the paint, concluded his college basketball career with the Wildcats. Williams' presence in the paint and rebounding prowess will be challenging to replace.
In addition to the four starters, Jaxson Robinson, who was sidelined with a season-ending wrist injury, has also exhausted his NCAA eligibility. The Wildcats will feel the loss of these key players as they look towards the future and aim to rebuild a competitive roster for the upcoming season.
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Kriisa may return to Europe to begin his professional career
The 2024-25 Kentucky basketball season has come to an end, and the team's focus has shifted to the offseason. While there won't be as much rebuilding required as in the previous year, there are still several spots to fill on the roster. Six players on Pope's first team have reached the end of their college eligibility, including starters Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, and Amari Williams. Additionally, Jaxson Robinson, a starter before his season-ending wrist injury, has also exhausted his NCAA eligibility.
Amid these changes, backup point guard Kerr Kriisa has entered the NCAA transfer portal, becoming the first player from the 2024-25 UK men's basketball roster to make a move. Kriisa, who suffered a season-ending foot injury in December, spoke to reporters about his future plans but remained non-committal regarding his return to the Wildcats for the next season. While Kriisa acknowledged the possibility of returning to college basketball, he also hinted at the option of returning to Europe to begin his professional career.
Kriisa, a native of Tartu, Estonia, has a history of playing for various European teams before joining the Kentucky Wildcats. He started his youth career with his hometown club BC Tartu at the age of 12 and made his debut with Tartu Ülikool in the 2016-17 KML season when he was just 15 years old. In September 2017, he signed with Brose Bamberg and played for their affiliate team Baunach Young Pikes in Germany until periostitis cut his stint short, prompting a return to Estonia for treatment. In August 2018, he joined Žalgiris, playing in the Lithuanian second league (NKL) and the Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament.
With his extensive experience in European basketball and the completion of his college season, Kriisa may opt to return to Europe to commence his professional career. He shared his thoughts on this possibility, expressing uncertainty about enduring another lengthy college summer during the build-up to the NCAA preseason. Kriisa's decision to enter the transfer portal and his contemplation of a professional career in Europe signal a potential new direction for the talented player.
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Kentucky has played Tennessee twice this season, winning both games
The Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers have a long history of rivalry in college sports, including basketball. In 2025, the Kentucky Wildcats played the Tennessee Volunteers twice, winning both games. The first game was held in Knoxville, while the second was in Lexington. The Wildcats swept the season series, and both teams were ranked heading into the games.
In the first game, the Kentucky Wildcats were without point guard Lamont Butler and Andrew Carr, who played for just one minute due to a back injury. Despite this, the Wildcats managed to pull off a win, with a final score of 75-64 at Rupp Arena. In the second game, Butler and Carr were back in action, but Carr was not at his best. The Wildcats managed to shut down Tennessee's offense and secure another victory.
The rivalry between the two schools dates back to their first college football game in 1893 and has continued across all sports, with the men's basketball series gaining particular attention in recent years. The Kentucky Wildcats and Tennessee Volunteers have met 241 times, with Tennessee leading the series 61-17. The games are known for their intensity and competitiveness, with both teams displaying their skills and determination to come out on top.
While Kentucky had a successful season with eight wins over AP top 15 teams, their 2024-25 campaign was impacted by injuries. Several key players, including Butler, Kriisa, and Robinson, were sidelined at different points in the season. Despite these challenges, the Wildcats advanced past the first week of the tournament for the first time since 2019. Now, with the season over, the team looks towards the offseason and roster changes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kentucky's basketball season is over.
Mark Pope is the current head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats.
The Kentucky Wildcats finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 24-12.
Some players that might not return to the Kentucky Wildcats include Otega Oweh, who is exploring the NBA draft, and Kriisa, who is considering returning to Europe to begin his professional career.
The schedule for the upcoming season is typically released in September, ahead of the season's start in October.
