Kentucky’s Mark Pope Sends Clear Message on 7-Foot-1 Transfer.
One of the busiest individuals this off-season in college basketball has undoubtedly been Mark Pope.
The 52-year-old former Wildcats player, who was on the last NCAA Tournament title team in Lexington, has been busy improving his roster for the 2025-26 season.
The recruiting class is strong for the 2025 season with Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno leading the way. Kentucky also added Andrija Jelavic from Croatia into the class.
The transfer portal has been very kind to the Wildcats, as they have grabbed six players to come to Lexington, along side their three recruits.
Coach Pope had a message on one of his latest transfers, Reece Potter, who comes to town after playing at Miami Ohio.
“Reece Potter is a Lexington Catholic legend,” Pope said. “He is a lengthy big who has a unique combination of mobility and skill. Reece can really pass, shoot and protect the rim and fits into what we do exceptionally well. Most importantly, he truly understands what it means to wear the Kentucky jersey.”
As Pope mentioned, Potter is from Lexington and went to school at Lexington Catholic. He enrolled in Miami University in Ohio in June 2023 and then entered the transfer portal in May 2025.
As a member of the RedHawks, Potter played in 56 games over two seasons. His sophomore year, he scored 6.5 points per game, and also ripped down 3.7 rebounds per game. His final game at Miami University in Ohio was on March 15 in the MAC title game.
He scored just two points and recorded four rebounds in 14 minutes, while the RedHawks fell to Akron 76-74.
Mark Pope Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky Wildcats head basketball coach Mark Pope.
© Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
The rest of Pope’s transfer portal class includes Denzel Aberdeen, who won a NCAA Tournament title with the Florida Gators leading the way. Mouhamed Dioubate, out of Alabama is another that came over from the SEC.
Jayden Quaintance of Arizona State will join the mix, as a 6-foot-9 center. Jaland Lowe, out of Pittsburgh and Kam Williams from Tulane round out the class.
Pope will begin his second season at Kentucky. The Wildcats reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in his first season, wrapping up a 24-12 season.
The transfer portal has been very kind to the Wildcats, as they have grabbed six players to come to Lexington, along side their three recruits.
Coach Pope had a message on one of his latest transfers, Reece Potter, who comes to town after playing at Miami Ohio.
“Reece Potter is a Lexington Catholic legend,” Pope said. “He is a lengthy big who has a unique combination of mobility and skill. Reece can really pass, shoot and protect the rim and fits into what we do exceptionally well. Most importantly, he truly understands what it means to wear the Kentucky jersey.
