With the transfer portal now officially closed, college basketball programs have a complete view of the available talent pool as they finalize rosters for the 2026-27 season. While this year’s portal class lacks the elite star power many coaches hoped for, several notable names remain on the board — and Mark Pope appears focused on bringing one of them to Kentucky.
At the moment, the most highly regarded players projected on Kentucky’s roster are Malachi Moreno, Zoom Diallo, Alex Wilkins, and Kam Williams. All four have breakout potential, but none have yet reached proven star status at the college level.
Pope showed during his first season in Lexington that he can win without a marquee name, but with a few scholarships still open, adding impact talent this late in the offseason could elevate Kentucky into a serious 2027 contender while easing concerns from fans eager for stronger recruiting results.
Now that the portal field is finalized, here are Kentucky’s top remaining options.
Milan Momcilovic
Milan Momcilovic has emerged as the clear fan favorite among Kentucky supporters. The Iowa State junior would be a major recruiting win for Pope.
The 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward averaged 16.9 points per game last season while shooting an elite 48.7% from three-point range on 279 attempts. That production makes a strong case for him as one of the best shooters in college basketball.
Kentucky still needs bodies, but it also needs shooting, and Momcilovic would fit perfectly as a perimeter threat alongside Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins, whose attacking styles could create open looks.
Though he is not known as a creator or dominant rebounder, those needs could be addressed elsewhere. ESPN and 247Sports both rank him among the top portal players available.
Momcilovic is currently testing the NBA Draft process. If he does not receive a firm first-round guarantee, a return to college is expected — and Kentucky would likely be one of the aggressive suitors.
Allen Graves
Another intriguing option is Santa Clara forward Allen Graves, whom Kentucky saw during the NCAA Tournament.
The 6-foot-9, 225-pound redshirt freshman looks like a natural fit at power forward in Pope’s system. Graves is a solid passer, keeps the ball moving, rebounds effectively, and can stretch the floor after shooting 41.3% from deep on 92 attempts last season.
Still just 19 years old, Graves has significant upside and room to grow physically.
He is also testing NBA Draft waters, but unlike Momcilovic, his recruitment appears narrower. Duke and LSU have been the most frequently linked programs, though Kentucky has consistently surfaced as a serious contender.
With Duke already loaded in the frontcourt and LSU coach Will Wade working quietly in the portal, Kentucky may still have a realistic path here.
Tounde Yessoufou
One of the biggest late entries into the portal was Baylor freshman Tounde Yessoufou, who immediately became one of the most sought-after names available.
The 6-foot-5 wing from Benin, who played high school basketball in California, averaged 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.0 steals while starting all 34 games for Baylor.
His perimeter shooting remains a work in progress after hitting 29.3% from three, but Yessoufou is an explosive athlete, dynamic scorer, and high-upside defender.
He has also entered the NBA Draft and could rise into first-round discussions. If he returns to college, Kentucky is expected to show interest, especially since Pope previously recruited him out of high school.
UCLA has been mentioned as a possible leader.
Tyran Stokes
Though not a transfer, Tyran Stokes remains central to any conversation about Kentucky’s remaining roster moves.
The nation’s No. 1 prospect has been heavily pursued by Pope for more than a year. Kansas and Kentucky have consistently been in the mix, while Oregon has recently gained traction.
Kentucky has kept a roster spot open and reserved the necessary NIL resources in hopes of landing Stokes. Speculation around an imminent commitment continues, though that has happened multiple times without resolution.
If Stokes chooses Kentucky, he would bring immediate star power and validate Pope’s relentless pursuit. Still, at this stage, there is little indication the Wildcats are the clear favorite.
International Addition Expected
It would be surprising if Kentucky does not add at least one international player before the roster is finalized.
Those names may not be well known to casual fans, but recent college basketball seasons have shown how impactful international talent can be.
Several names connected to Kentucky include:
Ousmane Ndiaye, a 6-foot-11 Senegalese forward currently playing in Italy’s top league. He moves well for his size and has confidence as a shooter.
Stefan Joksimovic, a 6-foot-7 wing from Slovenia who is already drawing early attention for the 2027 NBA Draft. He currently plays professionally in Spain.
Luigi Suigo, a versatile 7-foot-3 Italian prospect who declared for the 2026 NBA Draft but is still generating college interest. Kentucky looked into him last year before he stayed overseas.
These are only a few of the international possibilities. More names are expected to surface as Kentucky continues building its roster.