Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are gearing up for the 2025–26 college basketball season with renewed energy and high expectations. The team is deep, athletic, and built to play fast, but a few injury concerns have slowed their preparation.
Among those on the recovery list is Denzel Aberdeen, a key guard transfer from Florida who is expected to play a major role in Kentucky’s rotation this year. However, he has been dealing with a minor leg issue that has limited his availability during the preseason.
Pope recently provided an update on his condition, confirming that the team is being cautious as Aberdeen works his way back to full strength. The injury isn’t considered serious, and the plan is to allow him enough time to recover completely before the start of the regular season.
“DA (Denzel Aberdeen) has just got a sore leg. He’s trying to get 100% healthy, and so we’re taking a precaution with him,” said Pope. “I’d like to have, you know, I don’t know where J. Lowe is going to be, but I’d like to have those guys back in action within the next week or two, I’m hoping.”
View this post on Instagram
Pope mentioned that both Aberdeen and Jaland Lowe could be back within the next couple of weeks if their progress continues as expected. The staff wants both guards healthy for what is expected to be a demanding early stretch of the schedule.
Before the exhibition matchup against Georgetown, Pope had already hinted that Aberdeen would sit out due to the same leg problem. He emphasized it was a precautionary move and not a long-term concern.
Mark Pope Said the Georgetown Loss Was “Brutal”
Kentucky’s exhibition loss to Georgetown served as an early reality check for the Wildcats. The 84–70 defeat exposed several areas that Mark Pope felt required immediate improvement. Without Denzel Aberdeen and Jaland Lowe, the team struggled to find offensive rhythm and consistent ball movement.
Turnovers and defensive lapses became costly, and Pope made it clear that the performance wasn’t acceptable by Kentucky standards. The head coach described the result as tough to watch, noting that while it was only an exhibition, the effort and execution were below expectations.
“We just hoped we would have a different outcome,” Pope said. “We’re massively disappointed with ever losing on this floor, so that’s brutal for us right now. And it’s not gonna sit well with our guys.”
Kentucky will now turn its attention to fixing those issues before the season opener, with Pope confident that once the roster is healthy and in sync, the Wildcats will be much more formidable.
Read More:
UConn Basketball Recruiting: Dan Hurley Adds 6’4 Serbian Prospect To Loaded 2025 Freshman Class
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
