The Kentucky Wildcats and head coach Mark Pope have been aggressive in the transfer portal this offseason, quickly retooling the roster heading into Pope’s second year at the helm. With multiple transfer commitments already in the fold and a promising freshman class set to arrive, Kentucky’s roster is taking shape. However, the shooting guard position remains a question mark—especially with uncertainty surrounding Otega Oweh’s status.
To address that gap, Kentucky continues to explore potential additions, and one new name drawing interest is top veteran star, a versatile forward transferring from High Point University. Hamilton’s size and skill set could offer flexibility on the wing, giving Pope another dynamic piece as he finalizes the rotation for the 2024–25 season.
A Transfer Portal Target with Proven Upside
His path to becoming a sought-after transfer has been anything but traditional. Once a top-100 high school prospect out of Clinton, Mississippi, he began his college career at Mississippi State. After a limited role as a freshman, Hamilton transferred to High Point, where he found his stride and became a centerpiece of the program.
Over the past two seasons, Hamilton emerged as a reliable scorer and earned All-Big South honors twice. In 2023-24, he started all 35 games, averaging 13.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting a career-best 52% from the floor. Though his three-point shot still needs work—he hit just 32.2% from deep—he consistently created offense off the dribble, attacked the paint, and finished through contact.
At 6-foot-7, Hamilton brings a versatile inside-out game that could mesh well with Kentucky’s guard-heavy roster. His ability to play multiple roles on the wing makes him an appealing target as the Wildcats look to shore up the shooting guard position amidst lingering questions about Otega Oweh’s future.
How Hamilton Fits into Mark Pope’s Vision
Kentucky has already made significant strides in reshaping its roster under Mark Pope, landing several key transfers such as Mo Dioubate, Kam Williams, Jaland Lowe, Jayden Quaintance, and Andrija Jelavic. These additions, along with a strong incoming freshman class headlined by 5-star guard Jasper Johnson and 4-star forward Malachi Moreno, give the Wildcats a solid foundation heading into the 2024–25 season.
Still, the potential departure of Otega Oweh creates a noticeable void in the backcourt. That’s where Kimani Hamilton could come into play. While not a traditional shooting guard, Hamilton’s combination of length, athleticism, and scoring ability makes him an intriguing option for Pope’s system—one that values spacing, pace, and positional versatility.
Hamilton’s adaptability and experience would bring valuable depth to a Kentucky lineup still taking shape. His ability to play on the wing, contribute in multiple ways offensively, and defend multiple positions could make him a key piece in helping round out the rotation.
As Kentucky works to finalize its roster for the upcoming season, Kimani Hamilton remains a name worth keeping an eye on. If the Wildcats are able to land his commitment, it would mark yet another calculated move by Mark Pope—one designed to add experience, versatility, and scoring punch to an already promising group.
Hamilton’s addition would further balance a roster that’s shaping up to be both dynamic and deep, positioning Kentucky to make a serious push in March. For a program looking to reassert itself on the national stage, securing a player of Hamilton’s caliber could be a crucial step toward building a postseason contender.