Inside Kentucky Basketball’s Summer Practice: Who’s Standing Out, Who’s Still a Work in Progress
By Dylan Ballard | August 13, 2025
Eight weeks of summer workouts are now officially in the books for the Kentucky Wildcats, marking the end of a crucial offseason stretch for Mark Pope’s squad. While summer sessions don’t carry the same weight as the grind of the SEC schedule, they’re still a valuable time to assess early chemistry, conditioning, and skill development.
I’ve been speaking with people close to the program to get an inside look at who’s shining, who’s still finding their footing, and what fans can expect heading into the 2025–26 season. Here’s a player-by-player breakdown of what I’ve heard.
Jaland Lowe — A True Floor General Emerging
Last season, Lowe’s numbers suffered in part because of the system he was in — and because he played much of the year with a fractured finger on his shooting hand. That injury, sustained in a preseason scrimmage, limited his ability to shoot comfortably, which likely contributed to his dip from a 41% three-point shooter as a freshman at Pitt to just 26.6% last year.
This summer, the difference is night and day. Lowe has significantly cut down on forced shots, instead focusing on quality looks and smart passing decisions. His confidence has returned, and his efficiency in practice is drawing high praise.
He’s also showing strong leadership qualities, and insiders say his personality is as big an asset as his game. Right now, he’s one of the two best players on the floor for Kentucky alongside Otega Oweh.
Otega Oweh — Already the Leader, Now Even Better
Oweh was Kentucky’s leading scorer last season, and instead of resting on that success, he’s sharpened his game even more. Over the summer, he’s been focused on refining specific skills to prepare for the NBA Draft, and it’s paying off.
Observers say he looks more explosive, more confident, and even more efficient. His showing at the NBA Draft Combine — where he was one of the top performers in the 5-on-5 scrimmages — was no fluke. This version of Oweh could be a legitimate SEC Player of the Year candidate.
Trent Noah — From Afterthought to Key Rotation Player
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the offseason, Noah has undergone a physical transformation. He’s dropped the “baby weight,” added 15–20 pounds of muscle, and has been shooting lights-out in practice. Once projected to be an 11th or 12th man, he’s now tracking to be in the top seven to nine players in Pope’s rotation.
Coaches are thrilled with his progress, and he’s quickly becoming a name to watch for significant minutes come November.
Mo Dioubate — Mr. Steady
No surprises here — Dioubate is bringing exactly what was expected: physicality, defensive toughness, and vocal leadership on the floor. He’s even been used at small-ball center during scrimmages, a role that could become critical depending on the health and development of the team’s frontcourt.
Jayden Quaintance — Waiting Game
Quaintance’s absence has been one of the bigger storylines of the summer. The staff is eager to get him back on the court because his presence completely changes Kentucky’s ceiling in the frontcourt. For now, his return timeline remains uncertain, and the team’s depth in the paint will remain a question mark until he’s back.
Brandon Garrison — Progress, But Still Room to Grow
The junior big man has made strides, but the coaching staff feels there’s still another level he needs to reach. With the November 4 season opener against Nicholls State still months away, Garrison has time — but these next few months will be crucial in determining how big of an impact he’ll have in his third year.
Jasper Johnson — Flashy but Inconsistent
Johnson is showing flashes of brilliance — the kind of “wow” plays that make you stop and take notice — but he’s also still having those freshman moments. Consistency will be the key for him this season. If he can find it, his natural talent could make him a major contributor.
Malachi Moreno — Ahead of Schedule
Moreno is not dominating practices, but he’s clearly ahead of initial projections for his development. His growth has been a welcome boost, especially given the uncertainty around Garrison’s improvement pace and Quaintance’s availability.
Collin Chandler — Encouraging Signs After Injury
Chadler is working his way back from a major injury. While information is limited, the early signs are positive. The hope is that he’ll continue progressing and can provide perimeter shooting depth.
Kam Williams — Shooting Specialist
Williams started camp on fire, looking like one of the best shooters in the building. While he’s cooled off slightly as others have caught up, he still has elite shooting potential and could carve out a role as a floor-spacer with one of the highest upsides on the roster.
Denzel Aberdeen — The Glue Guy
Exactly as advertised — steady, consistent, and dependable. Coaches see him as the likely third starting guard alongside Lowe and Oweh. He won’t always fill the box score, but his reliability makes him invaluable.
Brayden Hawthorne — Raw but Talented
Hawthorne is still developing physically, but his skill set has impressed. Originally thought to be more of a long-term project, he’s now expected to see more minutes this season than initially anticipated.
Reece Potter & Andrija Jelavic
No new updates on Potter’s status. Jelavic has not yet joined the team
Top Performers: Lowe, Oweh, and Noah have been the clear standouts. Lowe’s return to form as a shooter, Oweh’s elevated all-around game, and Noah’s physical transformation have been the biggest positive developments.
Biggest Surprise: Noah’s leap from the end of the bench to a potential core rotation piece.
Frontcourt Concerns: Kentucky’s depth in the paint is still developing. Much will depend on Quaintance’s return and whether Garrison can make the necessary jump.
Backcourt Shape: Lowe and Oweh are locked in as starters, with Aberdeen holding the inside track for the third guard spot.
X-Factors: Kentucky needs at least one from the Williams/Chandler/Johnson group to step up as a reliable contributor, particularly from the perimeter.
The summer may just be the appetizer, but it’s given us an early taste of what this Wildcats team could look like. If Lowe continues to run the show with poise, Oweh takes another leap, and Noah maintains his new form, Kentucky fans may have plenty to look forward to this winter.
