Mark Pope is working to fill out his roster, and the Kentucky Wildcats have fully entered transfer portal season. The top name to watch on Wednesday is Mackenzie Mgbako, a former five-star recruit who spent his first two college seasons at Indiana and is now seeking a new home for the 2025-26 season. Could that destination be Lexington?
The UK coaching staff is set to host Mgbako — a 6-foot-9, 222-pound forward from Gladstone, New Jersey — for a visit on Wednesday, following multiple discussions since the transfer portal opened last week. Mgbako, who turns 21 in November, was once considered a potential one-and-done NBA draft pick, ranked as the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class by the 247Sports composite list. He played on the same Nike league team as former UK players Aaron Bradshaw and DJ Wagner before heading to Indiana.
Though his time with the Hoosiers didn’t fully live up to expectations, Mgbako started 64 games and averaged 12.2 points per game over his two seasons in Bloomington. As a sophomore, he added 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 32.9% from three-point range (47 makes in 32 games). While he wasn’t known for his defense at Indiana, Mgbako has the length and athleticism to improve in that area, and a fresh start after two seasons under former Hoosiers coach Mike Woodson could help unlock more of his potential. Additionally, Mgbako’s three-point shooting ability could improve under the offensive system in place at Kentucky.
In other transfer portal news, the UK coaching staff has scheduled Taylor Bol Bowen, a former Florida State forward, to be the first on-campus visitor since the portal opened. Bol Bowen, a versatile 6-foot-10 forward, will visit Alabama next.
Magoon Gwath Stays with San Diego State
Kentucky got its first major surprise of the transfer portal season late Tuesday night when Magoon Gwath, a 7-foot big man from San Diego State, announced he would remain with the Aztecs for the upcoming season. Gwath, known for his unique two-way skills, had been a key target for Kentucky and seemed like a perfect fit for Mark Pope’s style of play.
Throughout the day, rumors swirled that Gwath was on the verge of committing to the Wildcats, and by Tuesday evening, several national analysts had publicly predicted Kentucky would land him. However, in a stunning twist just before midnight, Gwath announced he would stick with San Diego State, leaving many college basketball followers wondering if it was an early April Fool’s joke. It wasn’t.
Now, Kentucky continues its search for at least one more big man to join Brandon Garrison (whose return for another season has yet to be confirmed) and incoming McDonald’s All-American post player Malachi Moreno.
Yaxel Lendeborg Watch
Yaxel Lendeborg, a former UAB forward, is one of the top players in the transfer portal, ranking No. 1 by both 247Sports and On3.com. Kentucky is among the schools interested in the 6-9, 240-pound forward, who posted impressive stats last season, averaging 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game for the Blazers.
Lendeborg still has two seasons of NCAA eligibility remaining but is also considering entering the NBA Draft, where ESPN currently ranks him No. 28 among top prospects, placing him in the first-round conversation.
In addition to Kentucky, Lendeborg has several suitors, and Auburn, which is playing in this weekend’s Final Four, has been seen as a potential frontrunner in recent weeks. While Kentucky may not be at the top of his list just yet, the interest is certainly there, and with things moving quickly in the portal, Lendeborg is definitely a player to watch in the coming days.
Aaron Bradshaw Enters the Transfer Portal
Former Kentucky forward Aaron Bradshaw will be transferring for the third time in as many seasons. The 7-foot-1 player from Rahway, New Jersey, began his freshman year at Kentucky late due to a foot injury before transferring to Ohio State for his sophomore season. At Ohio State, the former five-star recruit averaged 6.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game. He reached double figures in scoring just four times during the past season, with one notable performance being an 11-point outing in Ohio State’s 85-65 win over Kentucky at Madison Square Garden. Bradshaw’s potential and unique skill set will likely make him a sought-after player in the portal, giving him plenty of options for next season.
Louisville Making Major Moves in the Transfer Portal
Louisville coach Pat Kelsey has been one of the biggest winners in the transfer portal this offseason. The Cardinals have already secured commitments from former Xavier guard Ryan Conwell and former Kennesaw State guard Adrian Wooley, both of whom are ranked among the top 15 overall players in the portal. As of Wednesday morning, Louisville has the No. 1 transfer class in the country, according to 247Sports rankings. Kelsey’s first season as head coach saw the Cardinals finish 27-8 with an 18-2 record in the ACC, though they were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament by Creighton. Kelsey still has spots to fill for next season, and with the momentum he’s building, Louisville is shaping up to be a contender.
Is Braden Smith the Next Big Transfer?
There has been ongoing speculation for weeks that Purdue point guard Braden Smith, a first-team All-American, may enter the transfer portal this spring. The 6-foot playmaker from Westfield, Indiana has one more season of NCAA eligibility. Smith was a standout for Purdue this past season, averaging 15.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, leading them to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. His final game of the season saw him dish out 15 assists in a loss to Houston.
For Kentucky, the point guard position is a major area of need this offseason, with starter Lamont Butler out of eligibility and backup Kerr Kriisa already in the portal. If Smith does decide to explore his options, he would instantly become the biggest name in the transfer portal. Kentucky and Duke have already been linked as possible suitors, but for now, Smith has yet to make any announcements about his future.
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