Walter’s Wildcat Dispatch — August 22, 2026

YOUR DAILY SOURCE FOR KENTUCKY BASKETBALL NEWS
Walter’s
WILDCAT
DISPATCH
VOL. 1 · NO. 7
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
AUGUST 22, 2026
THE DAILY FIVE

Mark Mitchell Wins Fifth-Year Eligibility Ruling and Enters Transfer Portal

Jefferson Circuit Judge Brian Edwards granted temporary relief Friday to Mark Mitchell and 12 other athletes from the Class of 2022, allowing them to pursue a fifth season despite NCAA eligibility limits. The order also requires the NCAA to open the transfer portal to the plaintiffs for one week and protects schools and coaches from NCAA retaliation for using players covered by the ruling. Mitchell, who played last season at Missouri, has been recruited by Kentucky and remains a candidate for the Wildcats’ open roster spot.

Why it matters: This is the clearest path yet for Mitchell to join Kentucky, although the NCAA has said it will continue appealing similar state-court rulings.
Source: wdrb.com

Jaxon Kohler Chooses BYU Over Kentucky

Former Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler committed to BYU Thursday night after narrowing his decision to the Cougars and Kentucky. Kohler averaged 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds for Michigan State last season and had recently completed an extended Zoom meeting with Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff. The Utah native instead elected to return home for his final college season.

Why it matters: Kohler’s decision leaves Kentucky’s late roster pursuit focused more heavily on Mark Mitchell, whose eligibility situation changed dramatically Friday.
Source: espn.com

Kentucky Offers Five-Star 2027 Guard Moussa Kamissoko

Kentucky has extended a scholarship offer to five-star 2027 guard Moussa Kamissoko, one of the nation’s fastest-rising prospects after helping USA Basketball win gold at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup this summer. The 6-foot-5 New York prospect is drawing a national recruitment and has visits planned with several major programs, including UConn and Virginia. Kentucky’s involvement adds another elite perimeter target to Mark Pope’s growing 2027 recruiting board.

Why it matters: Kentucky already has five-star wing Ryan Hampton committed for 2027, and Kamissoko represents another opportunity for Pope to assemble an elite high-school core in that class.
Source: kentucky.com

On This Date: Lou Tsioropoulos Died in 2015

Kentucky great Lou Tsioropoulos died on Aug. 22, 2015, nine days before his 85th birthday. Tsioropoulos helped Kentucky win the 1951 NCAA championship, later starred on the unbeaten 25-0 team of 1953-54, and went on to win two NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. His No. 16 jersey is retired by Kentucky.

Wildcat World angle: Tsioropoulos remains one of the notable links between Adolph Rupp’s championship Wildcats and the early championship years of the Celtics.

Wildcat Birthday: Zach Tow

Former Kentucky forward Zach Tow was born Aug. 22 in Evansville, Indiana. The Madisonville, Kentucky, product appeared in two games for the Wildcats during the 2024-25 season, including Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament first-round victory over Troy.

Wildcat World angle: Tow’s birthday provides a modest but worthwhile historical note on an otherwise light August news day.
WILDCATWORLD.COM · EST. 1998 · KENTUCKY BASKETBALL HISTORY