Kentucky Lands Hometown 7-Footer: Miami (OH) Center Reece Potter Commits as Final Piece in Pope’s 2025 Transfer Class
Kentucky basketball has secured what may be the final piece of its 2025 transfer puzzle with the commitment of 7-foot-1 center Reece Potter, a Lexington native who spent the past two seasons developing his game at Miami (OH). For head coach Mark Pope, this addition brings a compelling combination of local ties, size, shooting, and long-term upside—essential traits for a team hoping to reestablish dominance in the SEC and return to national prominence.
Potter, who averaged 6.3 points per game and shot an impressive 40% from three-point range during his two years with the RedHawks, offers a unique skill set rarely seen in a player of his size. At 7-1, his ability to stretch the floor with reliable perimeter shooting makes him a modern big man who can seamlessly fit into Pope’s preferred style of play—one that values spacing, tempo, and multi-dimensional offensive threats. Though he wasn’t a star at Miami (OH), his statistics don’t fully encapsulate the potential he brings to Lexington.
What makes Potter’s commitment even more meaningful is the homecoming element. Born and raised in Lexington, he now returns to suit up for his hometown program at Rupp Arena, an opportunity few Kentucky natives are granted at this level. For Pope, who has put a noticeable emphasis on building a team culture that embraces both Kentucky tradition and evolving basketball strategies, bringing a local talent like Potter into the fold underscores the connection between community and program.
Potter’s development curve has been a slow and steady one. As a freshman, he saw limited minutes while adjusting to the collegiate level, logging just 2.5 points per game in sparse appearances. However, he showed flashes of what was to come—soft touch, good feel for the game, and a high basketball IQ. By his sophomore year, he became a reliable contributor for the RedHawks, starting several games and significantly increasing his role. It was then that he proved he could be more than just a project, boosting his production to 6.3 points per game and establishing himself as one of the better stretch bigs in the MAC.
Still, Potter’s decision to enter the transfer portal wasn’t solely about stats. His move was rooted in the pursuit of a higher level of competition, better development resources, and the chance to play for a national power. Kentucky’s need for depth and versatility in the frontcourt made it a natural fit, and Pope’s reputation as a coach who empowers shooters—even at the five position—likely sealed the deal.
For the Wildcats, Potter isn’t expected to be a day-one starter or stat-sheet stuffer. Instead, his role projects to be that of a high-ceiling rotational big who can provide floor-spacing, rim protection, and basketball intelligence off the bench. He offers depth behind more experienced or physically dominant forwards but can carve out a niche with his unique skill set. If his shooting numbers translate to SEC play—and his physicality continues to develop—Potter could become an invaluable piece of Kentucky’s rotation by midseason.
Moreover, Potter’s presence brings balance to Pope’s 2025 transfer class. With perimeter scorers, defensive specialists, and high-usage guards already committed, the addition of a stretch center rounds out the positional spectrum. It also allows Pope to experiment with lineup configurations, possibly deploying five-out offensive sets or dual-big looks depending on matchups. For a team looking to blend modern basketball with Kentucky grit, Potter is a tactical chess piece worth having.
Off the court, Potter is known as a high-character individual with strong work ethic—traits that resonate deeply with Pope’s culture-driven approach. While fans might initially fixate on his modest stats, those inside the program believe he’s only scratching the surface of what he can become. At 7-1 with mobility, a smooth shooting stroke, and a full offseason to develop under the Kentucky staff, there’s reason to believe his best basketball is still ahead of him.
From a recruiting standpoint, Potter’s addition is also a win in terms of optics. Kentucky landing a Lexington native, especially one with legitimate Division I size and a versatile skill set, signals a healthy alignment between the program and its local talent pipeline. It also speaks to Pope’s recruiting philosophy, which appears to be a blend of aggressive national targeting and careful regional evaluation. While Potter wasn’t a blue-chip recruit out of high school, his progress in the college ranks and fit within the Wildcats’ evolving system justified the pursuit.
This also marks a significant milestone in Pope’s first full offseason as head coach. After taking over the storied program from John Calipari, Pope has been tasked with the delicate challenge of maintaining the Wildcats’ national profile while establishing his own identity. His first transfer class includes a mix of high-major scorers, versatile defenders, and now, a hometown 7-footer with stretch ability. Each piece serves a purpose, and collectively, they suggest a coach with a clear vision and strategy. Landing Potter—who embodies both the future-forward style Pope favors and the traditional Kentucky roots fans value—reinforces that balance.
Looking ahead, Potter’s impact may not be immediately felt in terms of highlight reels or box score dominance. But for a Kentucky team that’s attempting to build long-term continuity and strategic depth, his value could emerge in the subtleties: spacing the floor to open up driving lanes, anchoring bench units with rim protection, or simply providing quality minutes that allow starters to rest without a drop-off in performance. These are the types of contributions that make championship-caliber teams—not just collections of stars, but full, functional rosters.
And while it’s too early to project what Potter’s ceiling may ultimately be in the SEC, the foundation is promising. His shooting touch from beyond the arc isn’t theoretical—it’s proven. His size is a natural advantage that can’t be taught. And his familiarity with the Lexington environment should ease the transition and help him acclimate quickly. Combine that with the development resources now available to him at Kentucky, and the potential becomes intriguing.
Potter’s journey also serves as a testament to patience and self-belief. In an era when some players chase spotlight opportunities too soon, he took the time to grow, evolve, and now joins Kentucky not just as a local kid fulfilling a dream, but as a contributor ready to earn his role. That narrative is something Pope can use to galvanize the locker room, especially among younger or less-heralded players hoping to rise in their own time.
As the final piece in the 2025 transfer class, Potter represents both an endpoint and a beginning. His commitment closes out one of the most pivotal roster-building efforts in recent Kentucky memory. But it also opens the door to a new chapter, one where the Wildcats’ identity will be forged by how well these pieces come together. For Reece Potter, the chance to be part of that process—at home, in blue and white, under the banners at Rupp—is the kind of story Kentucky basketball has always cherished.
Time will tell exactly what role he plays in that story, but for now, his arrival adds optimism and clarity to the picture. A 7-foot-1 shooter with roots in Lexington and hunger to prove himself at the highest level? That’s a narrative both fans and coaches can rally around. With Reece Potter in the fold, the Wildcats’ 2025 roster takes its final form—and Kentucky takes another step toward the future.
