Kentucky Basketball: 2024-25 season preview for the Wildcats
By Joey Loose
Key Reserves
Guard – Otega Oweh (Junior)
Oweh is a former Top 100 prospect who spent his underclassman seasons at Oklahoma before transferring this offseason. Last year was that expected step forward as a sophomore, putting up 11.4 points and 3.8 rebounds a game. Now a junior, Oweh is an underrated wing who can earn significant minutes off the bench, especially with his defensive potential and raw shooting numbers.
Guard – Collin Chandler (Freshman)
One of the young pieces in this new-look lineup, Chandler is a former 4-star shooting guard with intriguing potential. The former highly-ranked recruit out of Utah is fresh off a 2-year LDS mission but could secure legitimate playing time in his first collegiate season. He’s still got work ahead transitioning back into full-time basketball, but he can really score and attack the basketball at his best.
Forward – Brandon Garrison (Sophomore)
Last season, Garrison began his collegiate career at Oklahoma State, but finds himself with the Wildcats after a coaching change. The former Top 40 prospect did solid work as a true freshman, averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds while playing serious minutes for the Cowboys. That’s the kind of production he is capable of contributing, though he’ll do it in more of a reserve role as he continues to grow as an athlete.
Guard – Travis Perry (Freshman)
A 6’1 point guard from the state of Kentucky, Perry is a 4-star recruit and the highest-rated addition among this year’s recruiting class. While he’s not the tallest or most built specimen, Perry has a high basketball IQ and an inherent ability to score and make those around him play better basketball. Don’t expect a ton of early run, though he should develop into an important ball distributor.
Forward – Ansley Almonor (Senior)
Almonor joins the Wildcats after experiencing his own postseason success, having spent the last three years at Fairleigh Dickinson. After a sophomore year that featured that historic NCAA Tournament uspet, Almonor was even stronger as a junior, averaging 16.4 points and 5.1 rebounds while making a league-leading 39% from the 3. This production did come against the NEC and it’ll be interesting to see what kind of role he can carve out against significantly stronger opposition.
Guard – Kerr Kriisa (Senior)
Following three years at Arizona, Kriisa spend last season at West Virginia before heading to Lexington in the offseason. He had been highly productive when healthy in recent years, averaging 11.0 points and 4.7 assists per game with the Mountaineers. Kriisa should be the first name off the bench this season, with significant shooting ability and a knack for spreading the ball around.