We'll start with the bad news, now public and official: Adou Thiero is going portaling. This is a huge hit to Kentucky and it's my understanding they're going to work to recruit him back, but it wasn't a huge secret down the stretch that Coach Cal and Thiero didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things. He joked at the NCAA Tournament during the locker room interviews that Cal was harder on him than anyone else on the team, and talking to people around the program, they agreed. Several assumed things were trending toward the portal late, looking for a chance to prove he can be the star of his own team (and worried he wouldn't be able to become one here). Considering the money he can (and will) get elsewhere, it all adds up. Just a terrible loss, no other way to put it.
As for other guaranteed depatures, Rob Dillingham's time at Kentucky has come to an end, as expected. He'll be entering the NBA Draft as a likely top-five pick. That one isn't a surprise to anyone.
Elsewhere, Reed Sheppard has the toughest decision on the team, obviously, and I'm told it's weighing on him. His current draft grade is top-10 (coming from NBA scouts) and that guarantee will be really, really tough to pass up. But historic NIL money is waiting for him should he decide to return. He'll test the waters while keeping that door open, but his choice will be calculated down to team fit and culture in his range on both ends. There's no certainty next year's group will connect the way this one did, but the idea of going to a losing franchise in the middle of nowhere isn't appealing to him, either. Financials will be a significant part of it, but not the ultimate deciding factor. Legacy is important for that family and they know what winning means here, so the unfinished business angle is at play here, too. Head says NBA, heart says year two in Lexington. Nothing decided either way yet.
Zvonimir Ivisic's got a tough call to make, too. He's already tested the draft waters twice and is no longer eligible to try again, so it's all or nothing with this process. That complicates his situation a bit because his stock is currently in the second-round flier range with lottery upside should he return. He came to Kentucky on a one-year plan and that remained the case even through the end of the regular season. There was hope a big game on the Cats' run could shoot him back up the draft boards, but that unfortunately never came. That puts him in a tough spot and could make him think a little longer, but he was pretty open privately about going to the NBA this offseason no matter what. That continues to be the expectation.
Then we get to the trio of Kentucky's top-rated recruits out of high school, all deemed one-and-done locks when they signed here. Instead, none of Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw are considered first-round locks, Bradshaw no longer on draft boards at all. He will strongly consider the transfer portal in hopes of finding a fresh start elsewhere while Edwards is going to test the draft waters in hopes of securing a late first-round grade. If that's the case, he's expected to leave, as well. If not, he could also hit the transfer portal, but draft is the likely result. As for Wagner, he was seen as a guaranteed departure for much of the season due to connections in the basketball world, likely to sneak in at the end of the first round no matter how far his stock had fallen. There is growing optimism, though, that he'll seriously consider a second season at Kentucky in hopes of getting back to full strength, maturing and working his way back into the lottery of a weaker draft. He'll test and see what his draft outlook is now, but it's no longer the sure thing it was.
As for other portal names to keep an eye on, Ugonna Onyenso is at the top of the list. Like Thiero, there was a growing sense late that he (and his circle) were eyeing potential options elsewhere. I'm not currently expecting him back in Lexington, barring a major change of heart. Jordan Burks will see what his potential suitors are and what role/NIL opportunities would look like, so that's one to keep an eye on, too. Consider him a toss-up.
Joey Hart would like to return, but his situation will be roster-based. He'd like to play and if there is a path to playing time (even limited), he'll be back. That one will be down the road a bit depending on who Kentucky returns/adds.
As for other guaranteed depatures, Rob Dillingham's time at Kentucky has come to an end, as expected. He'll be entering the NBA Draft as a likely top-five pick. That one isn't a surprise to anyone.
Elsewhere, Reed Sheppard has the toughest decision on the team, obviously, and I'm told it's weighing on him. His current draft grade is top-10 (coming from NBA scouts) and that guarantee will be really, really tough to pass up. But historic NIL money is waiting for him should he decide to return. He'll test the waters while keeping that door open, but his choice will be calculated down to team fit and culture in his range on both ends. There's no certainty next year's group will connect the way this one did, but the idea of going to a losing franchise in the middle of nowhere isn't appealing to him, either. Financials will be a significant part of it, but not the ultimate deciding factor. Legacy is important for that family and they know what winning means here, so the unfinished business angle is at play here, too. Head says NBA, heart says year two in Lexington. Nothing decided either way yet.
Zvonimir Ivisic's got a tough call to make, too. He's already tested the draft waters twice and is no longer eligible to try again, so it's all or nothing with this process. That complicates his situation a bit because his stock is currently in the second-round flier range with lottery upside should he return. He came to Kentucky on a one-year plan and that remained the case even through the end of the regular season. There was hope a big game on the Cats' run could shoot him back up the draft boards, but that unfortunately never came. That puts him in a tough spot and could make him think a little longer, but he was pretty open privately about going to the NBA this offseason no matter what. That continues to be the expectation.
Then we get to the trio of Kentucky's top-rated recruits out of high school, all deemed one-and-done locks when they signed here. Instead, none of Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw are considered first-round locks, Bradshaw no longer on draft boards at all. He will strongly consider the transfer portal in hopes of finding a fresh start elsewhere while Edwards is going to test the draft waters in hopes of securing a late first-round grade. If that's the case, he's expected to leave, as well. If not, he could also hit the transfer portal, but draft is the likely result. As for Wagner, he was seen as a guaranteed departure for much of the season due to connections in the basketball world, likely to sneak in at the end of the first round no matter how far his stock had fallen. There is growing optimism, though, that he'll seriously consider a second season at Kentucky in hopes of getting back to full strength, maturing and working his way back into the lottery of a weaker draft. He'll test and see what his draft outlook is now, but it's no longer the sure thing it was.
As for other portal names to keep an eye on, Ugonna Onyenso is at the top of the list. Like Thiero, there was a growing sense late that he (and his circle) were eyeing potential options elsewhere. I'm not currently expecting him back in Lexington, barring a major change of heart. Jordan Burks will see what his potential suitors are and what role/NIL opportunities would look like, so that's one to keep an eye on, too. Consider him a toss-up.
Joey Hart would like to return, but his situation will be roster-based. He'd like to play and if there is a path to playing time (even limited), he'll be back. That one will be down the road a bit depending on who Kentucky returns/adds.
