New Kentucky head coach Mark Pope is facing his first major lineup decision as a surging freshman begins to shake up the Wildcats’ backcourt depth chart.
True freshman Jalen Whitmore, a 6’4″ guard out of Houston, Texas, has quickly turned heads in summer workouts with his explosive scoring ability and mature court presence. Originally considered a developmental prospect, Whitmore’s performance has exceeded expectations, creating what Pope calls a “good problem” heading into the preseason.
“Jalen’s been fearless from the jump,” Pope said after Wednesday’s open practice. “His work ethic, poise, and ability to create plays — it’s hard to ignore. He’s pushing our veterans every single day.”
Whitmore’s rise has sparked fierce competition with returning junior guard D.J. Wagner, who started most of last season and brings invaluable SEC experience. Wagner, while still considered a key piece of the rotation, is now being challenged for the starting role — something that wasn’t anticipated just a month ago.
Team insiders say Whitmore’s performance in recent scrimmages has been electric, highlighted by a 21-point outburst that included four made threes and a game-winning assist. His chemistry with sophomore forward Aaron Bradshaw has also been a standout element in practices.
As the Wildcats gear up for their overseas summer tour, Pope has indicated that starting roles are still up for grabs.
“We don’t hand out spots here,” Pope said. “We earn them. And right now, Jalen is earning everything.”
With Kentucky aiming to bounce back from recent early tournament exits, the emergence of a hungry freshman like Whitmore could be exactly what this retooled roster needs.
The first exhibition game is set for mid-July, and all eyes will be on who takes the floor as the starting guard — and whether the freshman phenom can continue his meteoric rise.
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