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Walter’s Wildcat Dispatch — September 26, 2026

YOUR DAILY SOURCE FOR KENTUCKY BASKETBALL NEWS
Walter’s
WILDCAT
DISPATCH
VOL. 1 · NO. 27
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
SEPTEMBER 26, 2026
THE DAILY FIVE

Hoops and Heels Gives Fans an Early Look at the Wildcats

Kentucky held its third annual Hoops and Heels event Friday night at Historic , giving fans an up-close look at ‘s 2026-27 team during preseason practice. UK Athletics’ gallery showed the full roster participating, including , , and the Wildcats’ newcomers. Proceeds from the event benefit the Markey Cancer Foundation. UK Athletics

Why it matters: With arriving Oct. 2, Hoops and Heels offered one of the first public glimpses of Pope’s extensively rebuilt third Kentucky team.
Source: ukathletics.com

Paul Osaruyi Makes First Official Visit to Kentucky

Top-25 2027 center Paul Osaruyi is in Lexington this weekend for an official visit with Kentucky, the first official visit of his recruitment. The 6-foot-10 Bella Vista Prep standout is rated No. 20 overall and No. 4 among centers in the Rivals Industry Ranking and holds offers from Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, North Carolina, Illinois, BYU, UCLA, Texas and Houston, among others. On3

Why it matters: Kentucky entered Osaruyi’s recruitment later than several competitors but quickly secured the coveted first official visit. He also plays at Bella Vista Prep with Kentucky’s 2027 commitment Ryan Hampton.
Source: on3.com

Kentucky Gaining Ground With 7-Foot-4 Cherif Millogo

Kentucky is among four programs currently carrying the most momentum for fast-rising 2027 center Cherif Millogo, according to reporter Joe Tipton, with BYU, Texas and Creighton also prominently involved. The 7-foot-4 St. Francis standout is rated No. 36 nationally in the 247Sports Composite and received his Kentucky offer from Pope in May. A Sea Of Blue

Why it matters: Millogo is part of an unusually aggressive Kentucky pursuit of elite 2027 big men. Pope’s staff is casting a wide net for a long-term answer in the middle while Osaruyi visits Lexington this weekend.
Source: aseaofblue.com

Mason Williams Emerging as a Freshman to Watch

Freshman point guard is generating increased attention as Kentucky settles into official preseason practice. The four-star prospect arrived outside the national top 100 in several recruiting rankings, but reports from summer workouts indicate that Williams has held his own in a veteran backcourt featuring Zoom Diallo, Jerone Morton and Alex Wilkins. AOL.com

Wildcat World angle: Williams was Kentucky’s first high-school commitment in the 2026 class. His development could give Pope valuable point-guard insurance after injuries repeatedly tested Kentucky’s backcourt depth last season.
Source: kentucky.com

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Turns 33

Kentucky national champion celebrates his 33rd birthday today. Born Sept. 26, 1993, Kidd-Gilchrist started 39 games as a freshman for Kentucky’s 2011-12 national championship team, averaging 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds before Charlotte selected him No. 2 overall in the 2012 Draft. Walter’s Wildcat World

Wildcat World angle: Kidd-Gilchrist’s relentless defense, rebounding and willingness to do the difficult work became part of the identity of one of Kentucky’s greatest teams — a 38-2 squad that captured the program’s eighth national championship.
Source: wildcatworld.com
WILDCATWORLD.COM · EST. 1998 · KENTUCKY BASKETBALL HISTORY