The Kentucky Wildcats coaching staff, led by head coach Mark Pope, is continuing to aggressively build its roster for the 2026–27 season as he enters his third year at the helm.
With the program still shaping its lineup, Kentucky is hoping to finalize key additions that could make next year’s squad one of the strongest in college basketball.
Much of the attention is centered on Kentucky native Malachi Moreno and former Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic, with both players expected to make decisions ahead of the May 27 deadline.
Moreno’s decision drew added intrigue after he opted out of the NBA Combine’s 5-on-5 scrimmages, leaving fans and analysts debating his next move.
Despite the uncertainty, CBS analysts Matt Norlander and Gary Parrish believe Moreno is likely to return to Lexington, estimating a strong chance he suits up for the Wildcats next season.
Parrish even suggested that Moreno could be part of a group of SEC freshmen who will immediately make an impact in conference play.
Pope has been openly enthusiastic about Moreno’s potential, previously stating his belief that the big man could develop into one of the top centers in all of college basketball.
That confidence has only fueled anticipation among the Big Blue Nation as they await final roster decisions.
With staff members also actively scouting in Chicago and evaluating additional transfer and NBA Draft decisions, Kentucky faces a critical stretch ahead of the withdrawal deadline, which will ultimately determine the final shape of the 2026–27 roster.
