Kentucky basketball roster tracker: Latest as John Calipari's 2023-24 team comes together

LEXINGTON, Ky. — John Calipari's Kentucky basketball program may experience even more roster churn than usual this offseason.

That's because of the Wildcats' unusually large senior class, other players who could declare for the 2023 NBA Draft and some who might enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Five members of the senior class have already made announcements: Point guard Sahvir Wheeler is transferring, forwards Oscar Tshiebwe and Jacob Toppin and guard Antonio Reeves declared for the draft, and former walk-on Brennan Canada will return for a fifth season. Tshiebwe and Reeves are maintaining college eligibility as their explore their pro options and could return next season.

Bookmark this page as The Courier Journal tracks offseason news related to UK's 2023-24 roster. 

The future:What's ahead for John Calipari and Kentucky basketball after early NCAA Tournament exit?

Which Kentucky basketball players entered NCAA transfer portal?

PG Sahvir Wheeler (5-foot-9, 180 pounds, Sr.): There were high expectations when Wheeler, an All-SEC second-team selection in 2021-22, announced he would return for his senior season. But it didn't go the way Wheeler — or the Wildcats — hoped. He missed 12 games because of injuries, including the final 11. He entered the transfer portal on March 27. Wheeler began his college career at Georgia and led the SEC in assists per game in 2020-21 and 2021-22 (and would have pulled off the feat last season if he had played enough to qualify). His 656 assists in four seasons are fifth most in SEC history.

What is the transfer portal anyway?Explaining the NCAA's process for switching schools

F Ugonna Onyenso (6-foot-11, 225 pounds, Fr.): After appearing in less than half of the Wildcats' 34 games off the bench last season, Onyenso elected to move on April 5. Though his numbers don't jump off the page — 2.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and one block per game — Onyenso was a player with huge potential defensively, particularly as a shot blocker. Had he played enough games to qualify, his block percentage (a measure of how many two-point field goal attempts a player blocks while on the floor) of 15.9 would have been the ninth-best season by a Division I player since the statistic began being tracked in 2009-10. Onyenso was potentially in line to start in 2023-24, but now the Wildcats will have to dip into the portal for another big man.

Which UK basketball players declared for 2023 NBA Draft?

F Jacob Toppin (6-foot-9, 205 pounds, Sr.): Toppin, who declared for the draft on March 31, improved as the 2022-23 season progressed. He scored 10 or more points 17 times in UK's final 21 games after doing so in just half of the team's first 12 games. Entering last season having never recorded a double-double in his college career, Toppin accomplished the feat on eight occasions in 2022-23. He also showcased improved form from the perimeter, knocking down 50% (13 for 26) of his attempts in SEC play. Still, he isn't projected to be selected in the latest NBA mock drafts.

G Cason Wallace (6-foot-4, 193 pounds, Fr.): Wallace arrived as one of the top players in the 2022 class and played like it all season, earning All-SEC freshman team honors. He had 15 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in his college debut, then tied the program's single-game record for steals (eight) in a double-overtime loss to Michigan State. His 11 assists at Mississippi State were the second most by a UK freshman in a road game. The Texas native, considered one of the best defenders in this year's draft class, is projected to be a first-round pick.

G Antonio Reeves (6-foot-5, 205 pounds, Sr.): Reeves entered his name into the draft Tuesday. But given his uncertain status — he's not projected to be selected, and likely would have to start his professional career in the NBA G League or head overseas — it's possible he will be part of the Wildcats' roster next season. He would provide a youthful squad with an established scorer. Last season, he had 10 games of 20 or more points, topped by a 37-point explosion at Arkansas in the regular-season finale to lift a short-handed squad to victory. Reeves also is a proven threat from the perimeter, knocking down a team-high 80 3-pointers in 2022-23.

F Oscar Tshiebwe (6-foot-9, 260 pounds, Sr.): The former West Virginia transfer became the fourth Wildcat to declare for the 2023 NBA Draft when he announced his decision April 7. Tshiebwe — a potential second round pick who doesn't have prototypical NBA height at center and was exposed this past season defending pick and rolls — is maintaining his college eligibility and could return to Kentucky or opt to transfer elsewhere. He had a storied two-year career with the Wildcats, earning unanimous national player of the year honors after the 2021-22 season. He averaged 16.6 points and 14.4 rebounds as a Cat and his 48 double-doubles are tied for second in program history.

Which Kentucky Wildcats are planning to return next season?

G Brennan Canada (6-foot-5, 205 pounds, Sr.): Canada has played in just 21 games over the past four seasons, totaling nine points, two rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal. He joined the program as a walk-on from George Rogers Clark High School and was placed on scholarship in January. On March 30, Canada announced he will return in 2023-24 — providing veteran leadership and practice depth.

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Which recruits have signed with John Calipari and UK basketball? 

G Robert Dillingham (6-foot-2, 165 pounds): With Wheeler transferring and Wallace leaving for the NBA, Dillingham — the No. 2 point guard in the 2023 class — will have every opportunity to become the Wildcats' primary ballhandler next season. Dillingham played for Overtime Elite, a professional league for 16-to-20-year-olds in Atlanta, last season. He averaged 14.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.5 steals per game during the regular season. Dillingham upped his level during the playoffs, though, averaging 18 points and 6.5 assists a contest.

G Justin Edwards (6-foot-7, 180 pounds): Ranked among the nation's top-four prospects in the 2023 class by every major recruiting service, Edwards should immediately start for the Wildcats. He can score at every level, and defensively, his 6-foot-10 wingspan gives opponents fits. Though he'll likely start at small forward, he can play power forward in smaller lineups.

Ranking the best:How Calipari's 2023 class compares to his other top recruiting hauls

G Reed Sheppard (6-foot-3, 175 pounds): An in-state product, Sheppard starred at North Laurel High the past four seasons. While not as highly ranked nationally as the other members of UK's 2023 class, the four-star prospect brings needed 3-point shooting (103 of 262, 39.3% as a senior). The Wildcats will be in dire need of that in 2023-24 assuming Wallace, CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves depart. That trio accounted for 158 of Kentucky's 213 3-point makes last season.

G DJ Wagner (6-foot-3, 170 pounds): The grandson of Louisville great Milt Wagner and the son of Dajuan Wagner (who played for Calipari at Memphis), Wagner is the No. 3 player in the country in the Class of 2023 and the odds-on favorite to lead Kentucky in points per game next season. While not a knock-down shooter, Wagner is a bucket-getter who averaged 18.8 points and 4.9 assists in the EYBL with NJ Scholars. He averaged 22.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and three assists per game his senior year at Camden High and finished with 2,040 career points.

C Aaron Bradshaw (7-foot, 210 pounds): Despite his size, Bradshaw, a consensus five-star recruit, isn't a traditional big man. He's as comfortable behind the 3-point arc as he is in the post. Though he'll likely start at center next season — potentially in a lineup with rising sophomore Ugonna Onyenso — Bradshaw said at the McDonald's All-American Game he'd like to play small forward and power forward at times for the Wildcats.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.