Three things Kentucky men’s basketball fans still need to worry about
Fast-break points from the dawning of the Wembanyama era:
21. Milan Momcilovic. The addition of the sharp-shooting Iowa State transfer will go a long way in helping Kentucky men’s basketball alleviate the roster construction issues that undermined Mark Pope’s offensive system a season ago.
20. What UK fans still need to fret over. There are, however, at least three other areas about the 2026-27 Wildcats that should concern the Big Blue Nation.
19. Rebounding. Returnee Malachi Moreno (6.3 rebounds a game), Washington transfer Franck Kepnang (6.3 rpg) and James Madison transfer Justin McBride (5.6 rpg) were more solid than stellar rebounders in 2025-26. Against good teams, will the Cats be able to get the ball off the boards?
18. Physicality. The unofficial motto of men’s college hoops in 2025-26 was “Big is Back,” as some of the best teams in the country (think Michigan, Illinois, Florida) thrived with massive front lines. For the 2026-27 Cats, the 7-foot Moreno was listed at 250 pounds last year, while Kepnang played at 253. Incoming UK power forward Ousmane N’Diaye is listed at a slight 6-11, 210 pounds. Will the Cats have the bulk to hold up against big frontcourts such as Todd Golden’s at Florida?
17. Backcourt depth. Ex-Clark County star Jerone Morton, who averaged 7.8 points and 2.6 assists last season for Washington State, is the only experienced guard UK has on its roster behind presumptive starters Zoom Diallo (transfer from Washington) and Alex Wilkins (Furman). With one scholarship remaining, should Kentucky be seeking another guard?
16. The $6 million man. According to Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, UK secured the services of Milan Momcilovic with a NIL package “north of $6 million.”
15. A Kentucky first? If the above figure is accurate, it means Mark Pope will coach a player in 2026-27 who will be making more than he is. Pope is slated to make $5.5 million in the coming season.
14. Jordan Burks. The former Kentucky forward has committed to play for Oklahoma State in 2026-27.
13. A travelin’ man. The 6-9, 205-pound Burks, who averaged 13.3 points and 4.8 rebounds for an NCAA Tournament team at Central Florida last season, is on his fourth team in four years. In addition to UK and UCF, he also played his sophomore season for Ed Cooley at Georgetown.
12. Ex-Cats as NBA champions. According to Jon Scott’s BigBlueHistory.com, 19 former Kentucky Wildcats have combined to win 27 NBA championships. That number will reach either 20 or 21 ex-Cats with a title at the conclusion of the 2026 NBA Finals between New York and San Antonio.
11. Karl-Anthony Towns. The former Kentucky center has averaged 16.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and a robust 5.9 assists in the playoffs while helping the Knicks reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
10. De’Aaron Fox. The ex-UK point guard is averaging 16.4 points, 4 rebounds and 5.9 assists in the playoffs while helping the Spurs reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
9. Keldon Johnson. A starting wing on Kentucky’s 2018-19 elite eight team, Johnson is averaging 8.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in the playoffs for San Antonio.
8. Rhyne Howard. In her fifth WNBA season, the ex-UK star is off to a scalding start. Coming off a 36-point game in the Atlanta Dream’s 91-75 win over the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, Howard is now averaging a career-high 19.3 points, as well as 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 steals, through seven games.
7. Georgia Amoore. In her delayed (by a torn ACL) rookie season with the Washington Mystics, the former Kentucky point guard is averaging 5.9 points and 3.8 assists through eight games, all starts. Amoore has yet to find her shot as a pro, shooting only 27.1% on field-goal attempts.
6. Teonni Key. Playing for the expansion Toronto Tempo, the ex-UK power forward has appeared in nine games, starting one, and is averaging 3 points and 2.4 rebounds.
5. Charlotte McCurry. On May 28, the Class of 2029 John Hardin High School guard received a scholarship offer from Kenny Brooks and Kentucky. This past season as a freshman, the 6-foot McCurry averaged 27.2 points and 10.8 rebounds while making 53.8% of her shots.
4. In high demand. In addition to UK, McCurry holds scholarship offers from Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Miami (Florida), Providence and Wisconsin, among others.
3. Jayden McClain. A 6-foot-6 center from Ryle High School, Class of 2029 prospect McClain has held a UK offer since she was in the seventh grade. Last season as a frosh, McClain averaged 12.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and shot 54.6%.
2. Offers rolling in. In addition to Kentucky, McClain holds scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Clemson, Florida State, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, Purdue and Xavier, among others.
1. National acclaim. In ESPN.com’s recently-unveiled “Terrific 25” ranking the best Class of 2029 players in the nation, McClain is rated 12th and McCurry is No. 24.
UK will hope for a better result recruiting the 2029 stars than it had with Class of 2025 in-state mega-stars ZaKiyah Johnson (LSU) and Leah Macy (Notre Dame).
This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
