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Finding the right fit in the transfer portal is something that Kentucky coach Mark Pope did very well last season and hopes he has done again for next season.
During a recent podcast with CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Pope said he values shooting, decision-making, and defensive communication in players and likes having a track record of college performances to use to evaluate college players that he does not have with high school recruits.
However, Pope didn’t need a lot of extra evaluation after Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen put his name into the transfer portal after helping the Gators win the national championship.
In fact, Pope told Rothstein there was “no evaluation” period with Aberdeen.
“My evaluation came in the two weeks we were trying to do background prep and then prep for our game against Florida,” Pope said. “It was the first game of the SEC season. So I had some familiarity with their team but as I dug more into their film I was like, ‘This cat coming off the bench is terrifying to me.’
“He certainly proved it throughout the course of the season.”
Aberdeen averaged 7.7 points in 19.7 minutes per game last season and shot 35 percent from 3-point range. He is also a physical, defensive player that UK lacked in the backcourt at times last season.
Aberdeen scored four points in 15 minutes in a 106-100 loss to Kentucky at Rupp Arena to open SEC play last season.
5 Responses
Its funny how some things goes full circle.
Welcome.. Thanks Ray
Florida was the most complete team last year. They had 3 great and one good guard. Aberdeen being the good one and they had the deepest front court. For Kentucky to beat them last year said alot about our team. Florida had alot players that came back last year so they had a great foundation. If Oweh comes back we will be deeper than Florida was last year. We are 13 deep with Potter in the fold. Aberdeen averaged 7.7 ppg as a junior last year playing about 20 minutes per game. He’s a good player I watched a ton of Florida games last year. He’s not the world beater that alot of people are acting like either. To me he will be in the same position he was at Florida last year. That me a problem seeing he wanted a bigger role and had it if he would have came back to Florida. So it had to 100% be about money. Oweh and Lowe are both better than Aberdeen. Chandler might be better than Aberdeen if he’s not there neck and neck. Chandler will be a sophomore Aberdeen will be a senior. Do you risk losing Chandler for Aberdeen taking his minutes is the question. We also have Jasper Johnson who is close to Chandler and Aberdeen and he’s a freshman! These are great problems to have being this deep. I’m just trying to comprehend the lineup. I know one thing practice is going to be amazing. There will be battles and that’s were they will all earn there playing time. I wouldn’t have any positions set in stone which I think is what Pope is doing. He’s making them work for playing time which is the best thing that can happen.
Im not sure as i dont live there Anymore now! So I only get tidbits of info nowadays !
Oweh comes back or the season is a waste
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