Amanda Knapp
The UK basketball team has had a tumultuous few years, with players and coaches coming and going. In 2021, the team suffered its first losing record since 1989, and the future of the program was uncertain. In 2024, the team lost several players to the NBA draft, and in 2025, the team once again faced a potential exodus, with at least seven players expected to leave. However, some players have expressed interest in returning to the team, and the coaching staff will be working hard to fill the spots left by departing players. With the ever-changing landscape of college basketball, it can be challenging to predict who will stay and who will go, but the decisions made by these players will have a significant impact on the future of the UK basketball team.
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What You'll Learn
Isaiah Briscoe, Wenyen Gabriel, and Hamidou Diallo's return
Isaiah Briscoe, Wenyen Gabriel, and Hamidou Diallo were all part of the UK basketball team in 2017. Briscoe, a sophomore guard, declared for the NBA draft after his freshman season but later returned to school. He was projected to start his professional career, but it is unclear if he returned to the UK basketball team. Wenyen Gabriel, a freshman forward in 2017, also declared for the NBA draft. He made the Sacramento Kings' 2018 Summer League team and improved in many statistical categories during his sophomore season. It is not clear if he returned to the UK basketball team.
Hamidou Diallo, a freshman guard in 2017, enrolled at UK mid-season and practiced with the team that year. He was expected to be a young leader on the team in the following season. It is unclear if he returned to the UK basketball team, but he has since played for the Thunder and the Pistons.
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Jacob Toppin, Lance Ware, and Oscar Tshiebwe's return
Jacob Toppin is expected to return to the University of Kentucky (UK) basketball team for the 2022-23 season, according to Jack Pilgrim of KSR. Toppin has become a fan favourite over his two seasons in Lexington, playing 18 minutes per game and averaging 6.2 points and 3.2 rebounds. This offseason is expected to be significant for Toppin as he works to improve his game for a potential breakout season.
Lance Ware, a former forward for the Kentucky Wildcats, has entered the transfer portal and will be leaving the program after three seasons. Ware's playing time had decreased, and he had made just two starts in Kentucky's last 11 games before his transfer. Ware has since transferred to Villanova, where he will play in the Big East.
Oscar Tshiebwe, the record-setting big man and defending National Player of the Year, announced his return to the University of Kentucky for his senior season in 2022. Tshiebwe averaged more than 17 points and 15 rebounds per game in 2021-22, his first year with Kentucky, and is recognised as one of the best rebounders in modern men's college basketball history. His decision to return to college basketball is highly significant, as he becomes the first men's National Player of the Year winner to do so since 2008. Tshiebwe's return puts the Wildcats in contention to be the No. 1 team in the country in the preseason.
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Rob Dillingham, Aaron Bradshaw, and Justin Edwards' departure
The UK basketball team has seen some changes in its lineup with the departure of Rob Dillingham, Aaron Bradshaw, and Justin Edwards.
Rob Dillingham, a five-star recruit, played for the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2023-24 season. Dillingham committed to playing for the University of Kentucky in 2022, but left in 2022 to join Overtime Elite, a professional basketball league. Dillingham is now an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA.
Aaron Bradshaw, a former five-star recruit, played for the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2023 season. Bradshaw committed to playing for the University of Kentucky in 2023 but transferred to Ohio State in 2024 after one season. Bradshaw averaged 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game during his time at Kentucky. He suffered a foot injury in the spring of 2023, which delayed his on-court debut for the Wildcats until December. Despite his strong performance in his second game with the team, Bradshaw never quite met the high expectations that came with his arrival at UK.
Justin Edwards, whose mother played college basketball at Cheyney University and professionally in Portugal, chose Kentucky because it was his dream school. It is unclear when Edwards left or why he chose to depart from the UK basketball team.
The departures of Dillingham, Bradshaw, and Edwards will likely impact the dynamic of the UK basketball team. With their talent and potential, they were expected to be key players for the team. However, the team will now have to adapt and find new ways to succeed in the upcoming season.
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Brandon Garrison's potential transfer
The potential transfer of Brandon Garrison, a sophomore forward, is one of the key storylines for the UK basketball team in the offseason. Garrison, a former McDonald's All-American, played his freshman year at Oklahoma State before transferring to Kentucky. At 6 feet 11 inches tall, he is a highly touted prospect with a strong all-around game and the potential to be very effective on both sides of the court near the rim.
Garrison's natural passing ability and growing 3-point game make him an intriguing fit for coach Mark Pope's five-out offensive style. While his time at UK has been uneven, he has shown flashes of brilliance and has the potential to develop into one of the top interior presences in the NCAA. His defensive capabilities are particularly impressive, averaging 1.5 blocks per game in his freshman season. He is also an effective rim deterrent, showing a refusal to back down from drivers.
Garrison's impact goes beyond the stats sheet. He is an active player who uses his long arms and quick feet to force opponents into making quick decisions. His offensive game, however, needs improvement. While he is not afraid to take mid-range jumpers, he needs to increase his accuracy. He will also need to expand his playmaking abilities and create more for himself to secure more minutes in the upcoming season.
The UK coaching staff will play a crucial role in Garrison's development, helping him gain strength and improve his overall game. With Pope's confidence in his abilities and the staff's belief in his long-term potential, Garrison has a solid foundation to build upon. The coming months will reveal whether Garrison decides to stay at Kentucky or explore other opportunities through the transfer portal.
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John Calipari's future at UK
John Calipari's future at the University of Kentucky (UK) has been the subject of much speculation in recent years. Calipari, who has been the head coach of the Wildcats since 2009, has had a successful tenure with the program, leading them to numerous achievements, including:
- The 2012 team being named the College Basketball Team of the Decade by the Associated Press.
- Advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in 12 of the last 17 NCAA Tournaments and the Elite Eight in 10 of the last 17.
- 45 players being chosen in the NBA Draft (34 first-round picks) over the last 13 seasons.
- A perfect 54-0 record in Rupp Arena as head coach.
- The most single-season wins (38) in 2015, tying his previous record.
However, there have been recent setbacks, including the Wildcats' early exit from the 2024 NCAA Tournament, which sparked discussions about Calipari's future with the program. It was speculated that Calipari's roster-building style, which focuses on extremely talented freshmen, may have become outdated due to the introduction of the transfer portal. This has led to a period of uncertainty for the program, with the potential for a change in either the head coach or the team's operational strategy.
Despite these challenges, several factors suggest that Calipari is likely to remain at UK. Firstly, he has a substantial contract with the university, earning at least $8 million annually through 2024, which is more than most NBA franchises pay their coaches. Secondly, Calipari has expressed a preference for staying in college basketball over moving to the NBA, and it is unlikely he would receive a comparable offer from an NBA team. Finally, Calipari has a strong connection with UK, and it would take a very competitive offer to convince him to leave his current position.
While Calipari's future at UK remains uncertain, it is clear that he has had a significant impact on the program's success. With his impressive record and dedication to the team, it is likely that he will continue to be a key figure in UK basketball for the foreseeable future.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2021, it was expected that Kentucky would see the return of Allen, Askew, Mintz, and Sarr.
In 2022, John Calipari confirmed the return of Sahvir Wheeler, Jacob Toppin, CJ Fredrick, Daimion Collins, and Lance Ware.
In 2025, it is unlikely that all five players—Oweh, Garrison, Chandler, Noah, and Perry—will return. However, if Mark Pope can get all five back, it would help build a foundation for the roster moving forward.
John Calipari has returned to UK basketball multiple times as the head coach.
