Reece Potter Comes Home to Kentucky: Former Lexington Catholic Star Officially Signs With Wildcats as 7’1″ Transfer From Miami (OH)

Reece Potter is officially a Kentucky Wildcat.

The University of Kentucky confirmed the signing of the 7-foot-1 center on Thursday, adding a towering in-state talent to Mark Pope’s growing roster rebuild. The Miami (OH) transfer is a former Lexington Catholic standout who now returns home to play for the program that once watched him dominate in high school gyms just miles away from Rupp Arena.

Potter gives Pope an intriguing frontcourt option with length, upside, and a clear connection to the Bluegrass State. The move symbolizes both a homecoming and a fresh start—for a player with untapped potential and for a program entering a new era under the leadership of a coach whose own legacy is deeply tied to Lexington.

Pope, who took over after John Calipari’s departure to Arkansas, has emphasized the importance of blending Kentucky’s deep basketball tradition with a modern, aggressive approach to roster construction. In that context, bringing Potter back to Lexington is a move that checks multiple boxes: it reunites Kentucky with a local talent who once starred on its high school hardwood, it adds size and depth to a frontcourt in transition, and it offers a development project with plenty of runway ahead.

At Miami (OH), Potter redshirted his freshman year during the 2023-24 season, meaning he has four full years of eligibility remaining. Though he didn’t log any official minutes last season, his development was closely monitored by programs across the Midwest and beyond. His combination of size, shooting touch, and mobility piqued the interest of several high-major schools once he entered the transfer portal.

Still, the connection to Kentucky made this an especially meaningful move.

Potter grew up in the shadow of Rupp Arena, attending Lexington Catholic High School and earning recognition as one of the top players in the state. A four-star prospect at one point in his high school career, Potter showed flashes of dominance with his shot-blocking, perimeter shooting, and soft touch around the basket. His ability to stretch the floor as a 7-footer made him a unique asset at the high school level and now gives Kentucky a potential matchup nightmare at the collegiate level—if his game continues to evolve.

The Wildcats’ frontcourt had seen departures, uncertainty, and a need for size this offseason. Pope and his staff wasted little time addressing it. With Potter on board, the Wildcats gain a developmental big who can be molded within Pope’s system. While expectations should be tempered—given Potter has yet to appear in a college game—his long-term potential is undeniable.

Pope has proven to be an effective evaluator and developer of frontcourt talent. During his time at BYU, he helped cultivate versatile bigs who could shoot, pass, and defend multiple positions. That bodes well for Potter, who brings a perimeter-oriented skillset but will need to continue adding strength and refining his defensive timing at the next level.

The signing of Potter also adds to the growing narrative of Pope reconnecting Kentucky with in-state stars. Calipari, despite his recruiting success, often faced criticism for overlooking local talent in favor of one-and-done national prospects. Pope, a Kentucky alum himself, has indicated a desire to build bridges with local high schools and prioritize players who want to represent the state on the sport’s biggest stage.

Potter fits that mold perfectly.

His return to Lexington carries emotional weight not only for him and his family but for fans who remember watching him rise through the high school ranks. In a state where basketball is part of the cultural fabric, stories like Potter’s resonate deeply. He isn’t just transferring to a new school—he’s coming home to wear the jersey that, for so many young players in Kentucky, represents the ultimate dream.

That dream now becomes reality.

The move also continues Pope’s busy offseason, which has seen a flurry of transfer activity as the first-year coach reshapes a roster left depleted by departures, NBA declarations, and portal entries. With Kentucky needing to field a competitive team quickly, Pope has pursued a mix of experienced transfers and young prospects like Potter, who can grow into their roles over time.

It’s a delicate balance, but one Pope seems prepared to manage. Bringing in a redshirt freshman with size, local ties, and four years of eligibility provides a valuable piece in that equation. Potter may not be expected to dominate immediately, but his role could expand significantly as he adapts to the SEC level and finds his rhythm in practice.

Moreover, Potter’s shooting range adds an element to Kentucky’s offense that aligns with Pope’s stylistic preferences. At BYU, Pope encouraged his bigs to space the floor and create mismatches. If Potter can extend his shooting consistency beyond the arc, he could eventually carve out minutes as a floor-spacing five or a pick-and-pop threat. His high school film showed glimpses of that kind of ability, and his redshirt year likely gave him time to develop physically and adjust to the speed of the college game.

In terms of roster construction, Potter may begin as a rotational piece or developmental option, but he has the frame and skill foundation to grow into a contributor down the line. Kentucky will likely bring in additional pieces to bolster the frontcourt, but having a 7-foot-1 in-state player with long-term upside provides insurance and optimism for the future.

The challenge for Potter will be adapting to the SEC’s physicality and pace while continuing to hone his instincts and decision-making. His length and timing give him the tools to be an effective rim protector, but consistency will be key. With the right coaching and minutes, he has the potential to become a reliable two-way presence who impacts the game beyond the box score.

Fans should also consider the symbolic nature of the signing. In an era where NIL and the transfer portal have reshaped the college basketball landscape, hometown stories are becoming increasingly rare. For Kentucky to land a player who grew up dreaming of wearing blue and white, who left to develop and then returned to fulfill that vision, is a testament to the enduring allure of the program.

It also marks a full-circle moment for Potter, who now has the chance to play in front of friends, family, and fans who watched him blossom from a young standout at Lexington Catholic into a college-ready big man.

For Pope and his staff, it’s a win on multiple levels: a smart basketball decision, a cultural win with the fanbase, and a statement of intent about the kind of program Kentucky intends to be moving forward. One that honors its history, taps into the state’s rich talent pool, and builds a team with both immediate and long-term potential.

There’s a long road ahead for Potter as he begins this next chapter in his career. But the opportunity is there. The foundation is there. And now, with his signature on the dotted line, the story officially begins.

Reece Potter is back in Lexington. He’s home. And he’s a Wildcat.