Denzel Aberdeen injury update: Mark Pope reveals latest prior to scrimmage vs. Georgetown

Denzel Aberdeen will not play in Kentucky‘s scrimmage against Georgetown on Thursday, head coach Mark Pope confirmed. The Florida transfer is dealing with a minor leg injury.

“He’s just nursing a little leg deal that I don’t think is going to be an issue,” Pope said, via KSR’s Tyler Thompson. “But we’ll keep him out as a precaution.”

Aberdeen reportedly did not participate in practice on Wednesday during Kentucky’s open practice to media. He’s one of three Wildcats who are being held out of the game, including Jayden Quaintance and Jaland Lowe. Those are three potential starters for the Wildcats during the regular season.

He was available during UK’s first exhibition against top-ranked Purdue. Aberdeen started against the Boilermakers, and ultimately spent 29 minutes on the floor for Mark Pope’s squad, scoring nine points on 3-of-9 shooting during the 78-65 win.

Before arriving in Lexington out of the NCAA transfer portal, Aberdeen spent three seasons with the Gators, most recently enjoying his best season yet averaging 7.7 points and 1.4 assists per game for the eventual national champions. He mostly served in a reserve role, starting in five of the 83 games her appeared in during his time there.

While his injury doesn’t appear to be serious, according to Pope, it’s still a blow to the Kentucky squad who will be down in numbers against the Hoyas.

Georgetown would go on to defeat Kentucky 84-70 during the matchup, leaving Kentucky to split its two exhibition games before the regular season.

Otega Oweh went on to lead Kentucky with 17 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Mo Dioubate and Collin Chandler scored 13 and 11 points each, respectively during the contest.

Kentucky finished the matchup shooting 20-60 (33.3%) from the floor, 7-30 (23.3%) from deep and more importantly — 23-25 (65.7%) from the free throw line.

The Wildcats will have to right their wrongs in short order, as Kentucky’s regular season begins on Tuesday and home against Nicholls. On Nov. 11, the Wildcats head to Louisville to take on the Cardinals in a bitter rivalry matchup. It remains to be seen whether Kentucky will be completely healthy for that matchup. They’ll also take on Michigan State one week after that on Nov. 18.

Tip-off between the Wildcats and Nicholls is set for 7 p.m. ET. The game will air live on SECN+. Aberdeen’s status for that game remains to be seen.