The Kentucky men’s basketball program has entered a new phase in the transfer portal season, as potential additions for the 2025-26 roster start to visit campus. Former Florida State player Taylor Bol Bowen is making his way to Lexington on Tuesday for an official visit, marking the first recruit to be hosted by the Kentucky coaching staff since the transfer portal opened last week. Bol Bowen, a 6-foot-10, 195-pound forward, played the last two seasons for the Seminoles and has two years of NCAA eligibility remaining. As a sophomore, he averaged 8.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.0 steals in 24.9 minutes per game while starting 27 of 29 appearances. He also shot 41.4% from beyond the arc, connecting on 29 of 70 attempts.
Bol Bowen is known for his impressive defensive skills, with a 7-2 wingspan, and was ranked as one of the top 10 defenders in the ACC last season, according to EvanMiya.com’s metrics. Florida State finished with a 17-15 record (8-12 ACC), and after the season, longtime coach Leonard Hamilton announced he would resign. Bol Bowen was ranked as the No. 73 recruit in the 2023 class by 247Sports and is currently listed as the No. 76 available transfer in this spring’s portal.
Kentucky has already secured a commitment from former Tulane wing Kam Williams, who pledged to the Wildcats on Friday without visiting the campus. The Cats recently lost backup point guard Kerr Kriisa to the portal, but they still have returning players like Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison, Collin Chandler, Trent Noah, and Travis Perry. In addition, talented freshmen Jasper Johnson, Acaden Lewis, and Malachi Moreno, along with Williams, will join the roster for the 2025-26 season. With a few more spots to fill, Bol Bowen’s visit suggests he’s a serious candidate for the Wildcats. After his stop at Kentucky, Bol Bowen is scheduled to visit Alabama, and more transfer portal visitors are expected to follow.