Dennis Johnson is a big fan of Kentucky's roster ahead of Jasper Johnson's debut season

Mark Pope officially put a bow on the core of Kentucky’s roster in 2025-26 with the commitment of Florida transfer Denzel Aberdeen, sources telling KSR that the Wildcats are done in the portal — barring any unexpected departures ahead of the midnight deadline or Otega Oweh‘s draft decision in the coming weeks. Should the program bring back all five players with remaining eligibility, as expected, plus the five portal additions, one overseas pledge and two high school signees, 13 pieces will round out the scholarship players with roles next season.

The door will be left open for a potential long-term development piece or two via redshirt, depending on clarity for roster limits with the NCAA vs. House settlement, but the group you see now will be the group you see on the floor next season.

Among the players set to suit up in blue and white with an expanded role expected from day one? Lexington’s own Jasper Johnson, Pope picking up a five-star right out of the program’s backyard with real NBA upside.

The top-25 prospect is coming off performances in the Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic, two prestigious all-star events for graduating seniors before they make their way to campus for summer workouts in June. His father, Dennis Johnson, was a former superstar for the Wildcats on the gridiron back in the day, now set to watch his son follow in his footsteps at Kentucky — this time on the hardwood.

What does he think about the roster Jasper will be a part of in his debut season in Lexington? While his son is a standout guard, the talent and depth of the frontcourt is what immediately jumps out. That group includes Arizona State transfer Jayden Quaintance, returning junior Brandon Garrison, Alabama transfer Mo Dioubate, Croatian forward Andrija Jelavic and four-star freshman Malachi Moreno.

There is familiarity with Quaintance as a former AAU teammate and he’s seen plenty of Moreno with Jasper growing up in Kentucky.

“I really like it. I mean, I think our frontcourt is going to be second to none,” Dennis Johnson said on this week’s edition of WLAP’s Sunday Morning Sports Talk. “I got to know JQ when we played with Team Thad (on the Nike EYBL circuit). He’s a talent. Malachi (Moreno) had a great week at the Nike Hoop Summit. One thing I’ll say about Malachi is that he didn’t go outside of his cage, didn’t try to score 20. He blocks shots — he comes in the scrimmage, blocks two shots, grabs two or three rebounds, aggressive, outlets the ball. In a year or so, we’ll be able to run the point center through him.”

Then you have the backcourt, one now featuring Aberdeen to replace the loss of four-star signee Acaden Lewis. Pittsburgh transfer Jaland Lowe will run the show while the other pieces fit well together, a mix of portal additions and returning talent — all eyes on Oweh and his draft decision, one that is expected to favor the Wildcats.

Injuries derailed things down the stretch for Kentucky last season, but there is depth to counter that this go-round. Johnson will certainly help in that area.

“I like it. I like the Lowe kid — I got a chance to watch a lot of film on him. I wish Acaden (Lewis) wouldn’t have left, I wish he was still committed. I got to be with his father this weekend, but people have to do what’s best for themselves,” Dennis Johnson continued. “But I like it, I think Trent Noah and Travis (Perry), those guys, they’re going to get better and work hard. I think this is going to be a great roster.

“I think Mark Pope has done a phenomenal job of putting pieces together. I’m probably a little gun-shy knowing how many injuries we had last year, but we loaded up. I love the roster as it sits right now.”

As crazy as it sounds, players are six weeks away from returning to Lexington for summer workouts and getting the 2025-26 season rolling — a blink after Pope’s debut campaign wrapped up in March. Will this group live up to the hype? The father of one of the big-name additions is confident.