While the Kentucky Wildcats still have some games remaining this season, the coaching staff is already turning its attention to the transfer portal, which officially opened on Monday for college basketball.
With several high-profile players entering the portal, Kentucky is expected to be linked to multiple prospects, and a few names are already starting to surface.
According to reports from Matt Jones of KSR, Kentucky is reportedly interested in Sam Houston State guard Lamar Wilkerson and Robert Morris forward Alvaro Folgueiras.
Let’s begin with Wilkerson. The 6-foot-5 guard from Ashdown, Arkansas, just completed his third season with the Bearkats, where he made a significant impact in the Sun Belt. Despite an overall underwhelming season for his team, Wilkerson averaged 20.5 points per game on 47% shooting from the field and nearly 45% from beyond the arc. He also contributed four rebounds and over two assists per game.
With several new faces expected in Kentucky’s backcourt, Wilkerson seems like a potential fit, especially given his shooting ability. As we know, Mark Pope values the three-point shot, and adding a player who attempts nearly eight threes per game with a 45% success rate is highly appealing.
Now, let’s talk about Folgueiras. The Robert Morris forward was named Horizon League Player of the Year after leading his team to a first-round exit against Alabama in the NCAA Tournament. However, Folgueiras’ performance all season was remarkable, highlighted by a 15-point, 10-rebound, and four-assist showing in the close loss to the Tide.
His all-around game helped him rise to the top of Horizon League voting, as he averaged 14.1 points per game on 55% shooting from the field, including 41% from deep. He also contributed 9.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.
Folgueiras’ ability to impact the game in multiple areas mirrors the type of point-center that Pope often incorporates into his system, especially with a shooting touch from distance. The question remains: Will it translate to the next level? His performance against Alabama certainly suggests he’s ready for the challenge.