Kentucky Wildcats Show Interest in High Point Transfer Kimani Hamilton
The Kentucky Wildcats, under the direction of newly appointed head coach Mark Pope, are continuing to work the transfer portal with urgency and precision. Their latest target is High Point transfer Kimani Hamilton, a 6-foot-8 forward who has become one of the more intriguing names in the portal this offseason. Kentucky has reportedly reached out to Hamilton, signaling the Wildcats’ commitment to adding length, versatility, and scoring depth to a roster undergoing a dramatic transformation.
Hamilton’s name may not yet resonate nationally with the same power as some blue-chip recruits or seasoned high-major players, but those who have followed his development closely understand his upside. Originally a four-star recruit out of Mississippi in the class of 2022, Hamilton committed to Mississippi State out of high school. He was a high-profile signee for the Bulldogs and was viewed as a potential impact player due to his length, athleticism, and shot-making ability. But like many young players navigating college basketball’s increasingly fluid landscape, Hamilton’s journey has not followed a straight line.
After limited playing time during his freshman season at Mississippi State, Hamilton made the decision to transfer to High Point University, a mid-major program in the Big South Conference. It was a move that raised some eyebrows at the time, but it proved to be the right one. At High Point, Hamilton found his rhythm and his confidence, flourishing into the kind of player that high-major programs covet.
In the 2023-24 season, Hamilton averaged 14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting over 45% from the field and nearly 37% from beyond the arc. He demonstrated a refined offensive game, with the ability to score at all three levels, knock down open threes, and create off the dribble. He also showcased his defensive versatility, using his wingspan to disrupt passing lanes and guard multiple positions.
What makes Hamilton especially attractive to a team like Kentucky is his positional versatility. At 6-foot-8 with a long frame and fluid athleticism, Hamilton fits the mold of a modern combo forward. He can stretch the floor, handle the ball in transition, and guard wings and forwards alike. In Mark Pope’s up-tempo system, which emphasizes spacing, shooting, and multi-positional playmakers, Hamilton is a potential plug-and-play piece who could provide immediate impact.
Kentucky’s interest in Hamilton also reflects Pope’s vision for how he wants to construct his roster. Since taking over in Lexington, Pope has made it clear that he intends to modernize the Wildcats’ style of play, leaning into a pace-and-space philosophy that capitalizes on the evolving nature of the game. That means prioritizing shooters, versatile defenders, and players who can operate effectively in both half-court and transition settings. Hamilton checks many of those boxes.
For Kentucky, which is looking to rebuild after John Calipari’s departure, the transfer portal has become a critical tool. Several key players from last year’s team have already declared for the NBA Draft or entered the transfer portal themselves. That includes guards like Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard, both projected to be first-round picks, as well as big man Ugonna Onyenso and wing Justin Edwards. The exodus has created a blank canvas for Pope, who is tasked with not just replenishing talent, but creating a cohesive unit that can contend in the always-brutal SEC.
So far, Pope has been aggressive in reaching out to top transfer targets. He’s already landed Otega Oweh, a dynamic guard from Oklahoma, and secured a commitment from 7-footer Amari Williams, who provides rim protection and interior scoring. In addition, Pope has been in contact with a wide array of portal prospects, signaling that Kentucky is willing to go national in its pursuit of elite talent.
Kimani Hamilton represents a blend of potential and production that few other players in the portal can offer. He’s not a finished product, but he’s shown enough growth at High Point to suggest he could thrive in a bigger role at a higher level. His scoring efficiency, ability to create mismatches, and defensive tools make him an attractive target for teams in need of a do-it-all forward. For Kentucky, Hamilton could be the kind of player who bridges the gap between the Wildcats’ past reliance on one-and-done freshmen and Pope’s new era of player development and experience.
Another key factor in Kentucky’s pursuit of Hamilton is the current state of the SEC. The league has become one of the most competitive in the country, with programs like Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Auburn all recruiting at a high level and performing consistently in March. To compete with those teams, Kentucky needs players who are not only talented but battle-tested and ready to contribute immediately. Hamilton’s experience—albeit at a mid-major level—paired with his high-major potential, makes him an ideal fit for a Wildcats team that’s trying to reestablish itself as an elite national contender.
Of course, Kentucky isn’t the only program pursuing Hamilton. Several other high-major schools have reached out, recognizing the value he could bring to a contending roster. That means Pope and his staff will need to make a compelling case not just about playing time, but about development, exposure, and fit. Kentucky still carries cachet, and the opportunity to play in Rupp Arena, under the spotlight of the SEC and in front of one of college basketball’s most passionate fanbases, is often enough to tip the scales. But the recruitment of players like Hamilton requires nuance. It’s about building trust, articulating a vision, and demonstrating how a player’s game can flourish in a particular system.
Pope, a former Kentucky player himself, has already shown an ability to connect with today’s players and sell them on a new vision for the Wildcats. He’s energetic, personable, and unafraid to embrace change. His pitch to Hamilton will likely revolve around opportunity—both to contribute immediately and to grow into a next-level talent. In Pope’s system, Hamilton could find the freedom to explore the full range of his skill set while being held accountable on both ends of the floor.
The question now is whether Hamilton sees Kentucky as the right fit. It’s not always easy for players coming from mid-major programs to adjust to the pressure and pace of the SEC, especially in a place like Lexington, where expectations are sky-high and patience is often in short supply. But Hamilton has already taken a leap once—from high-major to mid-major—and thrived. There’s every reason to believe he could do it again in reverse.
If Kentucky does land Hamilton, it would be another significant step in Pope’s efforts to reshape the program. It would also serve as a signal to the rest of college basketball that Kentucky isn’t going anywhere. The names may change, the coach may be new, but the standard remains the same. The Wildcats want to win now, and they’re pursuing players who can help make that happen.
Hamilton’s recruitment will be one to watch in the coming weeks as he weighs his options and considers his next move. For Kentucky fans, the possibility of adding a skilled, 6-foot-8 wing with high-level scoring instincts and defensive upside is an exciting one. For Pope and his staff, it’s another opportunity to put their stamp on a program with championship aspirations. Whether or not Hamilton ultimately dons the Kentucky blue, the Wildcats’ pursuit of him makes one thing clear: the Pope era is here, and it’s moving full speed ahead.
