Kentucky Basketball: 2023-24 preview for the Wildcats

Key Reserves

Jordan Burks, Wing/Forward

Burks was the leading scorer on the Overtime Elite platform in its inaugural season with Hillcrest Prep with 27.1 ppg to go along with 7.5 rpg, 2.9 apg and 1.4 spg. He’s a versatile name to watch for them given his length and abilities at 6-foot-8 as a forward and wing prospect in their rotation. Given their lack of depth in the frontcourt, he’ll most likely operate at the forward spots.

Rob Dillingham, Guard

Dillingham is another member of the Wildcats 2023 recruiting class that joins from the Overtime Elite platform. He averaged 14.7 ppg and 4.9 apg as a top floor general who is instant offense when the ball comes his way and quite the playmaker. He’ll be surrounded by some top prospects in his freshman season.

Reed Sheppard, Guard

Sheppard is another guard out of their 2023 recruiting who made his mark in the state of Kentucky at North Laurel High as Mr. Kentucky Basketball 2023. He’s a big guard prospect at 6-foot-3 who can fill up the stat sheet after posting 22.5 ppg, 8.5 apg and 8.4 rpg as a senior in leading his squad to the Sweet 16 of the state tournament. He’ll be another backcourt presence that should emerge and make things happen off the bench.

Zvonimir Ivišić, Forward/Center

Ivišić is a native of Croatia with some international experience under his belt he looks to bring to the SEC. The 7-foot-2 big man averaged 11.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 3.4 bpg on 34 percent shooting from 3-point land for Croatia’s national team in the FIBA U20 European Championships tjos past summer. He’ll be looked upon to act as a defensive anchor off the bench.

Ugonna Onyenso, Forward/Center

The 7-foot Nigerian native appeared in 16 games off the bench as a freshman, producing 2.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 1.0 bpg. He’s a 7-foot presence who should benefit a ton from playing against Tre Mitchell in practice and develop in the Kentucky frontcourt as a reserve.