New batch of transfer portal prospects in contact with Kentucky

The transfer portal keeps on churning away. It’s been a busy few days for Kentucky men’s basketball and new head coach Mark Pope, who is casting a wide net when it comes to portal targets. As of Tuesday night, our list was already up to a dozen need-to-know recruits, but throughout Wednesday, a handful of additional names have surfaced.

So, who has Kentucky reached out to as of late? Let’s dive right in and find out. For an in-depth look at who the Wildcats have already connected with, check out KSR’s Kentucky Basketball Roster Tracker here.

Cade Tyson (Belmont) So. F | 6-7, 200

• Cade Tyson was originally contacted by the former Kentucky staff operated by John Calipari. But On3’s Joe Tipton reports that the new UK staff has reached out to the Belmont transfer, as well. Tennessee hosted Tyson over the weekend and North Carolina is expected to get a visit this coming weekend. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 16.2 points and 5.9 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per contest for the Bruins, starting all 31 games he appeared in this past season. Tyson is known as an efficient scorer, shooting 49.3 percent overall, 46.5 percent from deep (on 5.5 attempts per game), and 85.5 percent from the line in 2023-24. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Aidan Mahaney (Saint Mary’s) So. G | 6-3, 180

• Kentucky is one of many schools to reach out to Saint Mary’s transfer guard Aidan Mahaney, according to Recruits Zone. The likes of Duke, UConn, Florida, Alabama, Arkansas, St. John’s, and plenty more have done the same. Mahaney officially entered the portal late Tuesday night. He holds a strong connection to Michigan’s new assistant coach Justin Joyner, who was previously at Saint Mary’s with Mahaney. California is another school to monitor, per On3’s Jamie Shaw. Mahaney was a First Team All-WCC performer this past season after averaging 13.9 points and 2.6 assists in 33.3 minutes per contest. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Baba Miller (Florida State) So. F | 6-11, 205

• Florida State big man Baba Miller was contacted by an unnamed Kentucky assistant, according to On3’s Joe Tipton — not head coach Mark Pope, who has yet to officially announce any staff members for his debut season in 2024-25. Miller started 32 games for the Seminoles this past season, averaging 7.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 24.8 minutes per contest. The native of Spain will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Kris Parker (Alabama) R-Fr. G | 6-9, 195

• After redshirting the 2023-24 season which forced him to sit out every game, Kris Parker will have four years of eligibility at his next stop. The 6-foot-9 Alabama guard has heard from Kentucky, according to Recruits Zone, and is also hearing from the likes of Illinois, Ole Miss, Ohio State, Oregon, and plenty more. Parker was a four-star prospect out of high school, checking in just outside of On3’s top 100 class of 2023 recruits at No. 108.

We’ve got a running list of every prospect we know who has been in contact with Pope and Kentucky over at KSBoard, including a couple of big names not mentioned in this article.

Want more Kentucky Basketball roster intel? Join the KSR Club for access to bonus content and KSBoard, KSR’s message board, to chat with fellow Cats fans and get exclusive scoop.