Mark Pope is working behind the scenes to finalize Kentucky’s 15th roster spot
Who would you like to see in blue and white this fall?
Nashville, Tennessee - March 12, 2026 - As the summer unfolds, Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope remains in a position to bolster his team's roster, despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding NCAA basketball's new rules and eligibility changes. Currently, the Cats have 14 players on the roster, with one spot remaining for the upcoming season. On March 12, Pope shared his thoughts with the UK Sports Network, acknowledging the constant stream of rulings and appeal cases that complicate the search for the 15th player.
Pope admitted that the situation is far from clear, and the team is still uncertain about the new rules that may impact their decision-making process. Despite this, he remains optimistic about the potential opportunities that these changes bring. When asked about the hypothetical player he'd like to see in a Wildcats uniform this fall, Pope did not name a specific individual. Instead, he expressed his interest in adding a proven scorer to the team.
Among the names that have been mentioned in connection with the 15th spot, Kentucky fans have been particularly excited about the prospect of Mark Mitchell, a former Auburn Tiger and Michigan State transfer. However, Pope's personal preference leans towards a player with a proven track record of success, such as a fifth-year student from Michigan State's Tom Izzo program.
Pope's forward-thinking approach suggests that the team will soon receive final clarity on the new rules, allowing them to confidently finalize their roster and add what will be the final piece to the puzzle.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
