Mark Pope spotted at G League Elite camp amid transfer portal recruiting
45 prospects are participating in the G League Elite Camp in Chicago this weekend ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft. But many of those players will also have the option to retain their college eligibility and return to the college level. Some who have entered the transfer portal and will likely suit up for a different uniform next season if they do return to college basketball.
While NBA and G League scouts evaluate potential prospects for the pro level, new Kentucky head coach Mark Pope was spotted doing the same for his Wildcats’ team ahead of his first season at the helm in Lexington. As Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Sweeney reported Sunday that Pope was in attendance for day two of the G League Elite camp.
Pope has already secured commitments from seven players this offseason through the transfer portal and is likely scouting others to add to his roster in Chicago this weekend. Highlighted by portal entries like former North Florida guard Chaz Lanier and former Miami guard Wooga Poplar participating in Sunday’s showcase at Wintrust Arena.
The Wildcats have been in contact with both Lanier and Poplar this offseason, with Lanier representing Kentucky’s top prospect after he averaged 19.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for North Florida last season. Expected to attend Tennessee or Kentucky next season if he does decide to eventually withdraw his name from the 2024 draft pool.
Poplar is also expected to eventually take a visit to Lexington this offseason as a player the Wildcats are heavily recruiting. Averaging 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game last season as a veteran player who’d join Kentucky with 100 games played under his belt with 65 starts.
Former BYU forward Jaxson Robinson is also on Kentucky’s radar after entering the NCAA transfer portal this offseason and declaring for the NBA Draft. But unlike Lanier and Poplar, he’s a participant in this week’s NBA Draft Combine that takes place for the remainder of the week. Projected by many to reunite with Pope after spending the past two seasons at BYU if he returns to college basketball next season.
All players that have declared for the 2024 NBA Draft have until Wednesday, May 29 to withdraw their name from the draft if they want to retain their college eligibility. Which could lead to a fascinating chain reaction of events for Kentucky and other top programs across the nation as they look to continue bolstering up their rosters ahead of the 2024-2025 college basketball season.