Three Wildcats Earn Spots in CBS Sports’ Top 101 Players for 2025–26 Season

Kentucky Basketball: Three Wildcats Earn Spots in CBS Sports’ Top 101 Players for 2025–26 Season

Kentucky basketball’s stock just keeps climbing  both in the rankings and in national respect. The latest validation came from CBS Sports, which released its annual Top 101 Players in College Basketball list ahead of the 2025–26 season. The Wildcats were well represented, with three players earning national recognition: Otega Oweh (No. 9), Jaland Lowe (No. 35), and Jayden Quaintance (No. 52).

For a team still blending fresh faces with returning stars, that’s a powerful statement about just how much talent Mark Pope has assembled in year two of his tenure in Lexington.

Otega Oweh: Kentucky’s Relentless Star Breaks Into the Top 10

No surprise here. Otega Oweh, Kentucky’s emotional leader and centerpiece, has officially broken into the national elite. Ranked No. 9 overall, the senior guard has been showered with preseason honors  from SEC Player of the Year to multiple All-American nods and continues to embody everything Pope wants from his program.

CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone described Oweh as “a relentless two-way force who plays with purpose and passion.” He’s not just a scorer; he’s the defensive heartbeat, the guy who sets the tone on both ends of the court. Coming off a breakout junior season, Oweh now finds himself on the Jerry West Award Watch List and is widely viewed as one of the most complete guards in the nation.

And perhaps the most poetic part? Oweh ranks ninth nationally  the same number Kentucky fans are dreaming about in banners. Banner No. 9 has become a rallying cry, and Oweh’s place at No. 9 feels like destiny waiting to unfold.

Jaland Lowe: The Quiet Engine Behind Kentucky’s Offense

Sliding in at No. 35, transfer guard Jaland Lowe may be new to Lexington, but he’s no stranger to pressure. The former Pitt standout earned All-ACC Third Team honors last season before joining the Wildcats, and even while rehabbing a shoulder injury this offseason, his presence has already impacted the team’s rhythm and leadership.

CBS Sports’ Cameron Salerno wrote that Lowe’s shooting development could elevate Kentucky’s offense from good to great. “If Lowe can improve as a 3-point shooter, Kentucky will be in business,” Salerno noted, referencing the guard’s 26.6% shooting from deep last season.

But Lowe’s game isn’t defined by numbers it’s defined by control. He’s calm, methodical, and mature beyond his years. Once he’s fully healthy, his steady hand will complement Oweh’s fire, forming one of the most balanced backcourts in the SEC.

Jayden Quaintance: The Future Face of Kentucky Basketball

At No. 52, Jayden Quaintance might have landed lower than his raw talent deserves  but there’s context. The 18-year-old phenom is still recovering from an ACL injury and has yet to make his official debut in Lexington. Still, CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander didn’t hesitate to call him a “top-30 talent nationally”, ranking him No. 29 on his individual ballot.

Quaintance’s potential is what excites everyone. Standing 6’10” with elite touch, timing, and mobility, he’s already being discussed as a projected 2026 NBA lottery pick. His presence in Kentucky’s frontcourt will bring a new dimension to Pope’s system  one built on speed, spacing, and inside-out balance.

When healthy, Quaintance could quickly climb that ranking  and maybe, by March, he’ll be a top-20 player making headlines of his own.

The Bigger Picture: Kentucky’s Rise in a Loaded National Field

Kentucky’s trio of ranked players underscores just how deep and dangerous this team could be. Only four programs  Florida, Houston, UConn, and BYU  placed three players inside the top 50. If Quaintance were fully healthy, Kentucky likely would’ve joined them.

The SEC remains one of the most powerful conferences in the country, with 25 players from the league appearing in CBS Sports’ Top 101. That means Kentucky will face elite competition nearly every week, a proving ground that could sharpen this young but gifted roster.

Meanwhile, Purdue  which Kentucky just dominated in an exhibition at Rupp Arena placed two players in the top 10 (Braden Smith at No. 1 and Trey Kaufmann-Renn at No. 7). Yet that ranking didn’t stop the Wildcats from running them out of Lexington. For Mark Pope, that statement win only reinforces that the new Kentucky isn’t just back  it’s evolving into something scarier.

Mark Pope’s Vision Taking Shape

Mark Pope has often spoken about rebuilding Kentucky not just as a brand, but as a brotherhood built on belief. With veterans like Oweh setting the tone, transfer talents like Lowe finding their rhythm, and young stars like Quaintance waiting to explode, that vision is taking shape faster than anyone expected.

Kentucky fans are starting to believe again  not just in the hype, but in the heart. The Wildcats are playing for more than wins; they’re playing to restore what Kentucky basketball means.

And if CBS Sports’ preseason rankings are any indication, the rest of the country is starting to see it too.

In the end, three players on the list is just a number — but it’s what that number represents that matters most:
a returning powerhouse, a rising belief, and a program that finally feels like Kentucky again. 💙