The Mark Mitchell saga is finally over for Kentucky basketball, and now Mark Pope and his staff have to turn their attention toward what comes next.
Mitchell’s decision to re-commit to Missouri changed the picture for the Wildcats, leaving Kentucky with one important roster spot still available and a major decision to make.
For better or worse, the Mitchell chapter is closed. Missouri will now continue working through the process of trying to get Mitchell another season of college basketball, while Kentucky has to move forward without the veteran forward.
The good news for Big Blue Nation is that Kentucky still has options.
The Wildcats may have missed out on several of the names that were previously discussed, including Jaxon Kohler, who committed to BYU, Keyshawn Hall, who landed at St. John’s, and now Mitchell, who is headed back to Missouri.
But the transfer market has not completely dried up.
Several intriguing players remain available, and Kentucky could still use its 15th roster spot in a way that significantly improves the team.
Among the names worth watching are Minnesota transfer Cade Tyson, BYU transfer Keba Keita, Jacksonville State standout Mostapha El Moutaouakkil and Arizona State veteran Moe Odum.
Each player would give Kentucky something different.
And that is what makes Pope’s next decision so fascinating.
Cade Tyson Could Be the Perfect Fit
If Kentucky is looking for shooting and offensive versatility, Cade Tyson may be the most obvious option.
Tyson has experienced one of the more unusual journeys in college basketball. He began his career at Belmont, where he quickly established himself as an efficient offensive player before transferring to North Carolina.
His time in Chapel Hill, however, did not go according to plan.
After producing strong numbers at Belmont, Tyson’s production dropped dramatically during the 2024-25 season with the Tar Heels. He averaged only 2.6 points and one rebound per game while seeing his shooting percentages decline as well.
That could have easily derailed his momentum.
Instead, Tyson found another opportunity at Minnesota.
And he took advantage of it.
With the Gophers, Tyson looked much more like the player he had been at Belmont. He finished the season averaging 19.6 points per game while adding five rebounds and a couple of assists per contest.
His efficiency also returned.
Tyson shot approximately 50% from the field and 41% from three-point range, once again demonstrating why he was considered such an intriguing offensive prospect earlier in his career.
That type of shooting could be particularly attractive to Pope.
Kentucky has plenty of athleticism and length, but adding another proven perimeter scorer who can stretch the floor could give the Wildcats another weapon.
If Pope wants the final roster spot to address shooting, Tyson could make a lot of sense.
Keba Keita Could Give Kentucky Something It Needs
Another option is Keba Keita.
If there is one area Kentucky fans have repeatedly discussed when looking at the roster, it is frontcourt depth.
Malachi Moreno gives Kentucky a highly intriguing young center, while Franck Kepnang provides another option. However, Kentucky could still benefit from adding a physical veteran capable of battling inside against some of the bigger and stronger teams it will face.
That is where Keita enters the conversation.
The BYU transfer has spent the past two seasons playing for Kevin Young and started every game during that stretch.
Before arriving at BYU, Keita played at Utah, where he gradually developed into a more productive player.
His numbers at BYU showed his value on the glass.
He averaged 7.9 rebounds per game as a junior and followed that with 7.2 rebounds during his senior season.
But rebounding is not the only reason he could be attractive.
Keita has also developed into a legitimate rim protector, averaging between 1.1 and 1.8 blocks per game over his last three seasons.
That physicality could give Kentucky something different.
Pope has acknowledged that his roster is built around length, speed and skill, but adding a strong interior presence could provide another dimension.
Keita might not be the flashy addition that immediately dominates headlines, but his skill set could become extremely valuable when Kentucky gets into physical SEC battles.
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil Is the Sleeper
Then there is Mostapha El Moutaouakkil.
The Jacksonville State transfer may not have the same level of name recognition as some of the other options, but his production deserves attention.
Moutaouakkil averaged 19.5 points per game last season, putting him among the nation’s leading scorers.
He also averaged 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 45.3% from the field, 34.6% from three-point range and 65.7% from the free-throw line.
Those numbers make him an intriguing depth option.
At 6-foot-6, his size for a guard would also give Kentucky some versatility.
He is coming off a season in which he earned First Team All-Conference USA recognition, and his ability to put points on the board could make him an interesting insurance option for Pope.
The question is whether Kentucky wants to use its final roster spot on another scorer or instead address one of the other areas of need.
But if the Wildcats want offensive firepower, Moutaouakkil is certainly a player worth considering.
Moe Odum Would Bring Experience
The fourth option is Arizona State transfer Moe Odum.
Unlike some of the other names, Odum would bring extensive college experience to the table.
The veteran guard has started 114 games during his college career, with stops at Pacific, Pepperdine and Arizona State.
Last season at Arizona State, he averaged 16.4 points and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 38% from three-point range and 83% from the free-throw line.
Those numbers demonstrate his ability to score while also creating opportunities for teammates.
Kentucky already has Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the backcourt, while Mason Williams and Jerone Morton could also provide minutes.
Still, adding another experienced guard could make the rotation deeper and provide Pope with another player capable of handling the ball and knocking down outside shots.
Odum would probably not be the most obvious choice if Kentucky’s priority is adding a forward, but he could become more appealing if the staff decides veteran guard depth is more important.
So What Should Pope Do?
That is ultimately the biggest question.
Kentucky does not necessarily have to replace Mark Mitchell with another player who looks exactly like Mitchell.
Instead, Pope has the opportunity to examine the entire roster and determine which addition would provide the greatest overall improvement.
Cade Tyson could provide shooting and scoring.
Keba Keita could bring physicality, rebounding and rim protection.
Mostapha El Moutaouakkil could provide another explosive scoring option and depth on the wing.
Moe Odum could add veteran leadership, ball-handling and perimeter shooting.
All four options offer something different.
However, the overall direction appears to point toward the forward position.
Kentucky’s coaching staff has prioritized finding another player who can improve the roster immediately, and Tyson could arguably be the cleanest fit if the goal is to add shooting and offensive versatility.
At the same time, Keita presents a compelling argument because Kentucky could use additional physicality in the frontcourt.
And that is what makes the 15th roster spot so important.
Kentucky Still Has One More Move
Pope has a decision to make, but he does not necessarily have to make the decision based solely on the four names currently being discussed.
The final roster spot could go to another transfer who suddenly becomes available.
It could go to an overseas player.
It could even go to a developmental prospect who needs time before becoming a major contributor.
There are several paths Kentucky can take.
But with the season getting closer, the pressure to finalize the roster is increasing.
For Big Blue Nation, the biggest question is no longer whether Mark Mitchell will return to Kentucky.
That answer is clear.
Now it is about who comes next.
Could Cade Tyson become Pope’s final piece?
Could Keba Keita give Kentucky the physical presence it needs?
Could Moutaouakkil emerge as the surprise scoring addition?
Or could Odum provide the veteran backcourt depth nobody expected?
One thing is certain: Pope still has one move left, and that final move could have a bigger impact on Kentucky’s season than many people realize.
Mark Mitchell may be gone, but Kentucky’s roster
-building story is not finishes
The final spot is still open. Pope still has options. And Big Blue Nation is officially waiting to see what he cooks up next.**
