With the announcement that Travis Perry has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, the Kentucky Wildcats find themselves with a vacant scholarship spot and a fresh opportunity to reinforce head coach Mark Pope’s retooled roster. While Perry’s statistical output during his freshman year was modest—he averaged just 2.7 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 9.7 minutes per game—his departure nonetheless creates room for Kentucky to pursue a new addition who could bolster depth or provide long-term potential.
Now the question is: Who could fill the void Perry leaves behind?
At first glance, some of the bigger names left in the portal—Chad Baker-Mazara, Boogie Fland, Darrion Williams, RJ Luis, Andrej Stojakovic, and Jamir Watkins—appear to be long shots. While Kentucky has the resources to make competitive NIL offers, the current roster is already loaded, and several of these players are leaning toward staying in the NBA Draft pool. So realistically, Kentucky likely won’t be in the mix for those high-profile transfers.
Another prospect, Acaden Lewis, has also faded from Kentucky’s radar after decommitting in hopes of landing a more prominent role elsewhere.
That brings the focus to lower-tier transfer prospects or emerging high school talent, as the Wildcats may look to add either a depth piece or a developmental prospect who fits into Pope’s system.
Here are some potential candidates Kentucky could pursue to replace Travis Perry:
Nick Dorn – Transfer from Elon
One intriguing name is Nick Dorn, a 6-foot-7 perimeter shooter who played last season at Elon. Dorn fits the mold of a modern stretch guard and brings excellent shooting volume to the table—he attempted 8.4 three-pointers per game and connected at a solid 35.1% clip. His ability to space the floor makes him an attractive piece for Pope’s spacing-heavy offensive scheme, and he could offer shooting depth off the bench. Dorn also has two years of eligibility remaining, giving the Wildcats a longer-term option with upside.
Jaiden Glover – Transfer from St. John’s
Another potential target is Jaiden Glover, a former St. John’s guard who Kentucky has already contacted. Glover, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound freshman, saw limited minutes this past season but still managed to average 2.2 points on 34.7% shooting, including 33.3% from three on 1.4 attempts per game. The Wildcats could benefit from the established connection between Rick Pitino and Mark Pope, which might help sway Glover if Kentucky offers. While still raw, Glover brings physicality and defensive potential.
Georgia Kimble – Transfer from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)
If the Wildcats are open to exploring local talent, Georgia Kimble is a name to keep in mind. The standout from Eastern Kentucky had an impressive season after transferring from Division II, putting up 18 points per game on 38% shooting, along with 3.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.6 steals. He was also effective from deep, hitting 34.8% of his three-pointers on 7.4 attempts per game. Notably, Kimble scored 24 points in a near-upset of Louisville, making him an intriguing, under-the-radar pickup with two years of eligibility left.
Braydon Hawthorne – Class of 2025 4-Star Prospect
Perhaps the most exciting long-term option is Braydon Hawthorne, a four-star wing in the class of 2025 who recently took an official visit to Lexington. Standing 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Hawthorne has built a reputation as a versatile two-way player. He’s ranked No. 48 nationally by On3 and has drawn attention from numerous high-level programs. Hawthorne’s raw physical tools and defensive upside make him a compelling candidate if Pope decides to invest in a high school recruit for future development while still addressing present needs.
What’s Next for Kentucky?
Though Kentucky hasn’t locked in a replacement just yet, there’s plenty of time to act with the transfer portal still buzzing. Whether they choose to go after an overlooked mid-major standout or a rising high school star, Mark Pope has a valuable scholarship to work with—and fans can expect the staff to thoroughly evaluate all remaining options.
As the offseason continues to unfold, all eyes will be on how Kentucky fills this final roster spot and what kind of player they target: an instant contributor or a long-term building block. Either way, the next move could be a significant one for the program’s continued evolution.
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