Kentucky Basketball Bold Roster Predictions For 2023-24
Updated: Jun 27, 2023
The NCAA college basketball decision deadline to return to school is a week away, May 31st. Many Kentucky Wildcat basketball fans are anxiously awaiting decisions from Oscar Tshiebwe, Chris Livingston, and Antonio Reeves. More importantly the fan base is in an upheaval over next year’s roster. With only seven scholarship players the Wildcats roster is in need of players and the big blue nation (BBN) is watching. Brennan Canada is a former walk-on who will likely have an eighth spot, but 13 scholarships are available.
Let’s attempt to predict the best-case scenario for the UK roster for 2023-24 season. One with a return of Oscar Tshiebwe and one where he declares for the NBA draft. Coach Cal and Kentucky haven’t been very active in the transfer portal yet and when they have been they have missed on Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson and San Diego State transfer Keshad Johnson. UK currently has the number one overall class of 2023 with DJ Wagner, Rob Dillingham, Justin Edwards, Reed Sheppard, and Aaron Bradshaw as incoming freshmen plus Ugonna Onyenso and Adou Thiero as sophomores back.
How will the Kentucky basketball roster be completed?
First I beIieve Antonio Reeves returns in both scenarios as well as I predict Chris Livingston stays in the draft with some kind of guarantee through his agents of Klutch Sports and Rich Paul. I’m predicting UK lands 6’7” forward Arthur Kaluma from Creighton instead. He’s the kind of wing player that will be needed in the playing rotation. I also think that the Cats will get 7’1” forward/center Isaiah Miranda from North Carolina State.
There is talk about the potential of 6’8” five star forward Ron Holland and UK basketball landing him after his national letter of intent release from Texas. He is visiting NBA G-league Ignite first. Rumors are swirling of his interest being high with them and a possible Arkansas landing spot. I do believe Coach Cal has reached out. However, I believe Holland wants to be the man. He was once considered a lean to UK until Justin Edwards signed and I don’t think anything has changed there.
From there UK will want to add some shooting and guard play, former Rutgers guard Cam Spencer would make a great addition to this team. He is a graduate transfer with one year remaining and hit 72-166 for 43.4% from the three point line and almost 90% from the free throw line. I’m hearing contact has been made by UK to Spencer. If Coach Calipari can pull these three pieces for the roster next season the fan base will settle down and look forward to the upcoming season.
Now onto Oscar Tshiebwe, will he stay or will he go? If the two time All-American and former player of the year returns the roster will be set with these pieces added. If Tshiebwe chooses to go to the NBA draft and begin his professional career, Kentucky likely puts the full court press on Grant Nelson. The former 6’11” North Dakota State star is also making an NBA decision as well. There has been a lot of buzz about a potential college return and transfer for him after entering the transfer portal. The next week is going to be very interesting for the BBN, stay tuned…
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