The Kentucky Wildcats will face the challenge of replacing Koby Brea, along with other key players in their final collegiate season, this offseason. Mark Pope’s team will be in dire need of playmaking to fill these gaps.
Top incoming recruit Jasper Johnson is expected to help replace some of that lost talent, but Kentucky is always searching for more sharpshooters, and Josh Dix could be the next standout shooter for the Wildcats.
Dix, who is transferring from Iowa, averaged 14.4 points per game and shot 42.2% from beyond the arc during his junior season. He has been ranked as the No. 2 overall transfer in the portal by 247Sports, making him a highly sought-after player for top programs.
Travis Branham, a national recruiting analyst for 247 Sports, shared with Chris Fisher of CatsPause.com that Kentucky is among the teams actively pursuing Dix, and there are rumors of the Wildcats being involved.
Evan Turner, a Big Ten legend from his time at Ohio State, also believes Dix is likely to join Kentucky, and if that happens, it would be a major victory for Coach Pope.
Iowa had a disappointing season, finishing 13th in the Big Ten and losing by 12 points in the Big Ten Tournament, which ended both their season and likely Dix’s career with the Hawkeyes.
Originally from Council Bluffs, Iowa, Dix scored 21 points on 10-of-17 shooting in his final game with Iowa. Over the course of his three years with the Hawkeyes, Dix significantly improved, shooting 50.7% from the field and 42.2% from three-point range as a junior. His efficient scoring would be a valuable asset for Kentucky, and his experience could help guide the incoming freshmen.
It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds.