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Denzel Aberdeen, Jaland Lowe injury update: Mark Pope reveals timeline to return for Kentucky players

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh11 hours agogriffin_mcveigh
Feb 19, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope calls for a player from the bench during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Feb 19, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope calls for a player from the bench during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Kentucky hosted one final exhibition game at Rupp Arena on Thursday, welcoming the Georgetown Hoyas to Lexington. Mark Pope went out there without a couple of key players — Denzel Aberdeen and Jaland Lowe. Both were due to injury-related purposes just before the regular season began.

Pope provided an update on them during his postgame press conference. He provided specifics on Aberdeen but said the timeline for the two is within the next seven to 14 days. So, it’s possible they miss a few games during the nonconference portion of the schedule.

“DA’s got a sore leg and he’s trying to get 100 percent,” Pope said via Jack Pilgrim of On3 | Rivals’ KSR. “… I’m hoping to get both of those guys back in the next week or two.”

These are not injuries Kentucky should take lightly. Aberdeen and Lowe both figure to play key roles on the 2025-26 roster, both being imported via the NCAA transfer portal. Lowe previously played for the Pitt Panthers, while Aberdeen is fresh off a national championship with the Florida Gators.

Matt Jones of KSR previously reported that Lowe is dealing with a shoulder issue. Colliding during a practice with Otega Oweh caused the problem.

Kentucky officially begins its season on Tuesday, as Nicholls comes to town. Tuesday, Nov. 11, is the date everyone likely has circled when the Wildcats face their massive in-state rival, the Louisville Cardinals. One week after that is the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York City against the Michigan State Spartans.

Those are the types of games you want Aberdeen and Lowe available for. Everyone in Big Blue Nation will certainly spend some time tracking their health, hoping for a quick return.

More on Kentucky scrimmage against Georgetown

Kentucky found itself on the losing end of the Georgetown scrimmage, 84,70. Oweh came in as the leading scorer with 17 points, followed by Mo Dioubate at 13 points. Probably not what Pope wanted to see at this point a year, just a few days away from the games really start to matter. But he can see the vision for what the Wildcats can become.

“I think this team has potential, but we’re not run-away good,” Pope said during his postgame press conference. “We’re just team great. We can be team great if we lean into each other. We’re not just going to go out and dominate people because our individual talent is overwhelming.”