New Era Begins as Kentucky’s Incoming Stars Arrive on Campus

The next generation of Kentucky Wildcats has begun arriving in Lexington, signaling the start of preparations for what could be a championship-caliber season. Guards Jaland Lowe and Denzel Aberdeen touched down on Wednesday to begin summer workouts, joining center Jayden Quaintance, who has been on campus since May and is already getting acclimated at the Joe Craft Center.

Aberdeen shared a glimpse of his arrival on Instagram, posting a photo of his new locker—complete with his No. 1 jersey—captioned, “Blessed. Let’s get it.” The 6-foot-5 guard transfers in from Florida, where he helped the Gators win a national title last season. As a junior, he averaged 7.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, shooting 41.8% from the floor and 35% from three-point range.

Lowe, a 6-foot-2 point guard, arrives after a standout sophomore year at Pitt. He posted averages of 16.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game, earning third-team All-ACC honors. ESPN ranked him No. 25 overall in the transfer portal this offseason. Lowe briefly tested the NBA Draft waters before opting to return to college and join the Wildcats.

“Getting ready to settle into my new home here in Lexington,” Lowe said in a welcome video filmed outside the Wildcat Coal Lodge, alongside Kentucky assistants Mark Fox, Mikhail McLean, and Alvin Brooks. “Let’s go for number nine.”

With Aberdeen, Lowe, and Quaintance now in Lexington, the core of head coach Mark Pope’s second-year roster is coming together. The pieces are in place, and the pursuit of Kentucky’s long-awaited ninth national championship is officially underway.

Dick Vitale’s “Dazzling Dozen” is broken by Kentucky as one of the best college basketball teams for 2025–2026.

Kentucky Cracks Dick Vitale’s “Dazzling Dozen” as One of College Basketball’s Top Teams for 2025-26

Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats just earned another feather in their blue-and-white cap a spot in legendary broadcaster Dick Vitale’s prestigious “Dazzling Dozen,” his annual summer ranking of the top 12 teams in college basketball. With 150 days until the ball is tipped on the 2025–26 season, Vitale believes Big Blue Nation has every reason to dream big.

“Mark Pope reloads again, folks,” Vitale said with his signature enthusiasm. “Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison will be looking to lead an incredible group of transfers including Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe and Mouhamed Dioubate. The Wildcats are roaring loud in Lexington.”

Kentucky Lands at No. 11 in Dickie V’s Dazzling Dozen

The Wildcats landed at No. 11 in the Dazzling Dozen, good for third in the SEC behind Florida (No. 3) and Arkansas (No. 8). While Kentucky fans may have hoped for a slightly higher placement, considering the sheer volume of talent Pope has brought in and retained, inclusion on this elite list is a strong national endorsement of the program’s trajectory.

Dick Vitale’s Top 12:

1. Purdue Boilermakers
2. Houston Cougars
3. Florida Gators
4. UConn Huskies
5. St. John’s Red Storm
6. Texas Tech Red Raiders
7. BYU Cougars
8. Arkansas Razorbacks
9. Duke Blue Devils
10. UCLA Bruins
11. Kentucky Wildcats
12. Michigan Wolverines

Why the Hype is Real in Lexington

Kentucky returns two of its biggest contributors from last season’s Sweet 16 run Otega Oweh, the emotional engine and explosive scorer, and Brandon Garrison, the defensive anchor in the paint. Around them, Pope has added one of the deepest and most athletic transfer classes in the nation.

Fresh faces like Jayden Quaintance  a projected elite rim protector and high-motor big man  and Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe  a playmaking guard with major upside  bring a new level of physicality and versatility. Mouhamed Dioubate’s defensive prowess and rebounding tenacity will add interior grit that Kentucky lacked at times last season.

Other National Rankings Give the Cats Their Flowers

Dick Vitale isn’t the only one buying stock in Pope’s second-year Wildcats. Here’s how Kentucky stacks up in other major preseason rankings:

• ESPN: No. 9
  

  “Kentucky is absolutely loaded on the perimeter next season,” wrote Jeff Borzello.

• The Athletic: No. 9
  

  “Better defensively and more playmaking,” added CJ Moore.

• Sports Illustrated: No. 7
  

  “The Wildcats spent big this spring,” said Kevin Sweeney, referencing Kentucky’s splashy portal additions.

• CBS Sports: No. 12
  

  “Returning two of the top seven scorers from a Sweet 16 team is no small thing,” Gary Parrish said.

• Rothstein 45: No. 12

The Takeaway: Eyes on March, but the Journey Starts Now

Mark Pope has built a balanced and battle-ready roster that can compete with anyone in the country. While shooting may not be this team’s superpower, its physicality, length, and perimeter athleticism offer a new identity built on defensive grit and the potential for an even deeper postseason run.

For now, inclusion in the Dazzling Dozen is just another reminder: the rest of the country is watching, and the Big Blue train is picking up steam.

Get ready, college basketball  Kentucky’s coming.