Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats have completely rebuilt a roster in Lexington which was emptied following the departure of longtime head coach John Calipari to Arkansas.
Now, after adding FDU transfer Ansley Almonor, Pope has a roster of 11 newcomers ready to lead the ‘Cats to another successful regular season in the SEC and – for BBN’s sake – more success in the NCAA Tournament.
Almonor is expected to be a reserve big for Kentucky, coming to Lexington with one year remaining after averaging 16.4 points and 5.1 rebounds last year in the NEC, while shooting 39.4% from three on 7.4 attempts per game.
He joins a group of seven other transfers and three incoming freshmen, and with depth now at every position it is possible this team is done adding scholarship players for the 2024-25 season. College basketball teams are allowed 13 scholarships per season, but in the modern transfer portal era more teams are opting to offer scholarships to just 10 or 11 guys, since the back end of the roster players are more likely to transfer anyway.
Below is a look at a projected starting lineup and rotation for Pope and Kentucky if this is truly the final piece for the ‘Cats ahead of what should be an exciting season in Lexington:
Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Eligibility: 1 year remaining
From: West Virginia
Stats: 11 points, 4.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 42.4% from three
![](https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2024/04/USATSI_22514063.jpg)
Matt Lunsford-USA TODAY Sports
Eligibility: 1 year remaining
From: Dayton
Stats: 11.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 49.8% from three
![](https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2024/05/USATSI_22700847.jpg)
Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
Eligibility: 2 years remaining
From: Oklahoma
Stats: 11.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.0 assists, 37.7% from three
![](https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2024/05/USATSI_22775274.jpg)
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Eligibility: 1 year remaining
From: Wake Forest
Stats: 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 1.5 assists, 37.1% from three
![](https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2024/01/USATSI_22386785.jpg)
William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports
Eligibility: 3 years remaining
From: Oklahoma State
Stats: 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 blocks, 57.2% FG
![](https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2024/05/USATSI_22891014.jpg)
Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Eligibility: 1 year remaining
From: San Diego State
Stats: 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 30.2% from three
![](https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2024/05/USATSI_22629281.jpg)
Syndication: Wilmington News Journal
Eligibility: 1 year remaining
From: Drexel
Stats: 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.8 blocks, 22.9 minutes
![](https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2024/05/USATSI_20273647.jpg)
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Eligibility: 1 year remaining
From: FDU
Stats: 16.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 39.4% from three
![](https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2024/04/USATSI_22817185.jpg)
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Prospect ranking: No. 33 in 2022 class (247Sports)
Position: SG
![](https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2024/05/USATSI_23026996.jpg)
Syndication: The Courier-Journal
Prospect ranking: No. 77 (247Sports)
Position: PG
![](https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2024/05/USATSI_22843235.jpg)
Syndication: The Courier-Journal
Prospect ranking: No. 108 (247Sports)
Position: SF