Mark Pope’s second year as head coach of the Wildcats continues to gain momentum, as senior guard Denzel Aberdeen has officially committed to Kentucky after spending three seasons with the Florida Gators. He announced his decision on X (formerly Twitter) Monday afternoon.
Aberdeen played a key role for Florida during their National Championship run last season, averaging 7.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. He shot 41.8% from the field, 35% from three, and 70.8% at the line in just under 20 minutes per outing.
In the title game against Houston, Aberdeen contributed seven points and two rebounds over 18 minutes. His top performance came against South Carolina, where he dropped 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc.
He also saw action at Rupp Arena this past season, logging 15 minutes and scoring four points against Kentucky.
Following the Gators’ championship season, Aberdeen entered the transfer portal on April 18. In a heartfelt message on social media, he expressed gratitude for his time in Gainesville, thanking God, his teammates, Coach Todd Golden, and the Florida staff for their support throughout his journey.
Just three days later, Aberdeen made his next move official, sharing: “Thank you Jesus! BBN.. LETSSS DO ITTTT.”
Aberdeen is one of several new faces joining the Wildcats, alongside transfers Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State), Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama), Kam Williams (Tulane), and Jaland Lowe (Pittsburgh). Additionally, Croatian big man Andrija Jelavic has committed as an international addition.
Returning from Pope’s initial roster are Brandon Garrison, Collin Chandler, and Trent Noah, with Travis Perry expected to return as well, though he hasn’t confirmed yet.
Otega Oweh is testing NBA Draft waters while preserving his eligibility. Meanwhile, freshmen Malachi Moreno and Jasper Johnson make up Kentucky’s incoming class, following Acaden Lewis’s recent decommitment.
In Pope’s first season, Kentucky posted a 24-12 record and reached the Sweet 16. With a revamped and balanced roster, expectations are high as the Wildcats look to build on that success in year two.
Leave a Reply