Projecting Kentucky Players Staying, Leaving After 2025 NCAA Tournament Bracket Loss
After earning a No. 3 seed for the 2025 men's NCAA tournament, Kentucky bowed out in the Sweet Sixteen of March Madness after losing 78-65 to Tennessee on Friday.
The first team of the Mark Pope era showcased a frenetic pace and an offense that ranked among the highest-scoring units in the country. But it wasn't enough for the Wildcats to contend for a national title.
Next up for Kentucky is a very active offseason—again.
As a senior-heavy roster departs, the 'Cats are bringing in a terrific recruiting class and inevitably will be players in the transfer portal.
Who's Staying
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Considering how much production Kentucky is losing this offseason, it sure would like to keep its leading scorer in Lexington.
Otega Oweh, a transfer from Oklahoma, put together a breakout year and netted more than 16 points per game. Though the 'Cats boasted six players who averaged double figures, he's the only one with remaining eligibility.
Whether he bolts for the NBA—a sentiment that applies to reserve center Brandon Garrison and veteran guard Kerr Kriisa, too—is the unknown.
Oweh and Garrison seemingly would benefit from another year at UK, though, while Kriisa is eligible for a medical redshirt after appearing in only nine games because of an early season foot injury.
Freshmen backups Travis Perry, Collin Chandler and Trent Noah are also expected to return next season.
Who's Leaving
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Barring any early NBA draft announcements, this departing group is clear.
Jaxson Robinson, Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, Amari Williams, Andrew Carr and Ansley Almonor have all exhausted their college eligibility.
In other words, UK is losing five double-digit scorers—which includes its three top perimeter shooters, two best passers, peskiest on-ball defender and a heavy majority of the team's rebounding production.
Even if nobody else on the roster exits through the transfer portal, the rotation is facing an overhaul this offseason.
Who's on the Way
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Especially in the John Calipari era, Kentucky built a reputation for being a prime destination for elite recruits.
That apparently won't be changing with Pope at his alma mater.
In the 2025 class, the 'Cats signed a trio of 5-stars. Overtime Elite guard Jasper Johnson is rated as the 18th-best prospect in the cycle, followed by center Malachi Moreno (27th) and guard Acaden Lewis (30th).
Since the maximum number of scholarships in college basketball is rising from 13 to 15 next season, it's safe to say UK will be scouring the portal, too.
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