Mark Pope landed the best player in the transfer portal, but ESPN’s latest ranking shows how much Kentucky still must prove entering the 2026-27 season. Kentucky added one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal and rebuilt its starting lineup around experienced talent. The original ESPN article praised Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic but still ranked seven SEC programs ahead of Mark Pope’s team. Milan Momcilovic gives Kentucky a proven centerpieceBorzello called Momcilovic “the best player in this past transfer portal,” which explains why expectations remain high despite Kentucky’s modest ranking. ESPN projects Momcilovic to start alongside Washington transfer Zoom Diallo, Furman transfer Alex Wilkins, international addition Ousmane N’Diaye and returning center Malachi Moreno.