Guard Lamar Wilkerson Set for Official Visit to Kentucky Basketball on Sunday
In what could be a key development for Kentucky basketball’s offseason roster build, Lamar Wilkerson, a high-scoring guard from Central Arkansas, is set to take an official visit to Lexington on Sunday. The visit comes as new head coach Mark Pope continues to aggressively pursue experienced talent from the transfer portal to fill out the Wildcats’ 2024–25 roster.
Wilkerson, who entered the portal following a breakout season at Central Arkansas, has quickly become one of the more sought-after mid-major guards on the market. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior averaged 13.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game this past season, shooting 46% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc. His combination of athleticism, scoring touch, and defensive intensity has attracted the attention of several Power Five programs — but Kentucky is among the first to secure a visit.
Wilkerson began his career at Southeastern Illinois College before transferring to Central Arkansas in 2022. Over two seasons in the ASUN Conference, he steadily improved, becoming a reliable offensive weapon and versatile perimeter defender. His two-way potential is particularly appealing to Kentucky, which under Pope’s leadership is expected to emphasize toughness, spacing, and pace.
Mark Pope, who was hired earlier this month to replace John Calipari, has made it clear that his version of Kentucky basketball will be built around experienced, versatile players — especially those who can shoot and guard multiple positions. Wilkerson checks many of those boxes and could immediately compete for a starting spot on a Kentucky team expected to undergo a major overhaul this offseason.
The Wildcats have already seen several players depart via the portal or to the NBA Draft. With a nearly empty roster and minimal returning production, Pope and his staff have wasted no time in evaluating talent from all levels. Securing visits this early in the offseason is a strong indicator that Kentucky is serious about bringing Wilkerson into the fold.
While Wilkerson may not have the five-star pedigree traditionally associated with Kentucky’s backcourt, his maturity, proven scoring ability, and hunger to perform on a bigger stage make him an intriguing fit. The Wildcats are expected to host several other transfer targets in the coming weeks, but Wilkerson’s visit could be one of the earliest signs of the new coaching staff’s approach — valuing grit, versatility, and upside over high school hype.
For Wilkerson, the visit to Lexington offers a chance to showcase how he might fit into Kentucky’s new era. With coaches across the country watching how Pope reshapes one of the sport’s most iconic programs, landing Wilkerson would be a strong signal that Kentucky can still be a destination — not just for five-star freshmen, but for proven, hungry players ready to contribute immediately.
Sunday’s visit will likely include tours of the facilities, meetings with the coaching staff, and an opportunity for Wilkerson to envision himself in blue and white next season. With roster spots open and playing time up for grabs, the opportunity is there — and now, it’s just a matter of whether both sides see the right fit.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.