Kentucky made a return to ESPN’s Way-Too-Early top 25 following their exit last month. The Wildcats basketball program was the talk of the NCAA after dropping out based on concerns over the likes of Antonio Reeves and Aaron Bradshaw, with questions looming over the former’s status, as well as the latter’s health.

Well, they’re back in the headlines as they’ve returned this month and are even in the top 20, with the Worldwide Leader in Sports pegging them at No. 17, with Reeves now confirmed to stick around.

The guard was Kentucky’s best offensive player last season and his perimeter scoring will be huge for them. 

They have also added Tre Mitchell via the transfer portal. Mitchell joins the program from West Virginia, having already played for three colleges. And he is expected to provide a dual threat from both the perimeter and inside the paint. Giving them an additional option alongside Bradshaw or Ugonna Onyenso.

Bradshaw’s injury status is a lot better than it was last month, though the team cannot yet provide a timeline for his return. Head coach John Calipari now has four top-25 recruits to play on the outside, as well as a dependable scorer in the frontcourt to complement Onyenso and Bradshaw. 

Of course, that hardly means the Wildcats will have an easy ride in the upcoming season. However, they have a good mix of experience, youth, and talent and boast some proper depth. 

Although there may be uncertainties surrounding the upcoming campaign, there is no denying the considerable talent level of the Wildcats. Once online betting becomes available in Kentucky, prior to the campaign’s conclusion, Wildcat fans will benefit from significant promotional offers from online sportsbooks. Betting legislature has been approved where Kentucky is concerned but sports fans won’t be able to place wagers until some point later this year. You can be sure that there will be plenty of action pertaining to Kentucky as long as college betting is part of the mix.

The Wildcats have two of the four highest-ranked college players in ESPN’s 2024 mock draft released in June, as well as five players ranked in the top 40. The coaching staff could have an enviable headache should their younger players catch up.

Kentucky Not Done

Calipari is still busy recruiting and has made a proposal to another exciting player. Reports indicate that center Patrick Ngongba has received a scholarship offer from the university. Ngongba, who stands at 6ft 11in and weighs 235 pounds, plays at St. Paul VI Catholic High School in Virginia. ESPN has him as a five-star center ranking third among players in his position and 17th overall while he’s 36th at On3, and 32nd at both 247Sports Rivals. 

The player has been one of the most sought-after recruits this offseason, having also gotten offers from Duke, Kansas, Virginia, UConn, and Michigan, as well as other programs.

“Down the stretch of a close game, Patrick Ngonba was at his best. Team Takeover was able to go to the 6-foot-10 center on the block and know that something would happen,” On3’s Jamie Shaw writes.

“Ngonba has a strong frame with great length and very soft touch and hands. In the second half of the game, Ngongba showed comfort going over his left and right shoulder. When his go-to move would get cut off, he showed he was comfortable with his counters to get the look. Ngongba finished with a team-high 12 points. While that number may not be super-impressive, the timing of his makes were. The No. 36 player in the 2024 On3 150 finished 6-for-8 from the field and also added 8 rebounds.”

Ngongba is the 15th class of 24 recruits to receive an offer from the UK.

Meanwhile, the program is rounding off its staff for the upcoming season. They will see many returns for 2023/24 but a few departures coupled with an NCAA rule change has left Calipari with some allowances and he’s hiring Kevin Butty as a new video coordinator. Butty brings a wealth of basketball experience with him, having recently worked for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Los Angeles Lakers, and San Diego State.