South Bound & Down
Fansided

Kentucky Basketball: Way-too-early roster outlook for 2022-23 season

By Matt Melton

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 17: Sahvir Wheeler #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats brings the ball up court during second half action against the St. Peter's Peacocks in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 17, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 17: Sahvir Wheeler #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats brings the ball up court during second half action against the St. Peter's Peacocks in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 17, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

In one of the greatest upsets to every happen during the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Kentucky Basketball was shockingly upset on Thursday night when the Wildcats fell to 15-seed Saint Peter’s 85-79 in overtime.

Bringing an end to the Wildcats season in the process, this was obviously a disappointing loss for Kentucky Basketball, a team that was expected to make a run at the Final Four and a national championship in the coming weeks.

Taking a way-too-early look at next year’s Kentucky team however, the Wildcats will likely return a few key pieces next season, and are once again expected to be one of the SEC’s top teams in 2022-23.

Way-too-early Kentucky Basketball roster outlook for 2022-23 season

Likely Gone to NBA/Graduation

  • G TyTy Washington Jr
  • G Kellan Grady
  • G Davion Mintz

Washington is a guarantee to be a first round pick in the upcoming 2022 NBA Draft, likely being selected as a lottery pick as well. As for Grady and Mintz, both will be gone due to graduation.

Decisions to Watch For

  • F Oscar Tshiebwe
  • G Shaedon Sharpe

A decision from the 2021-22 SEC Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe will be one of the biggest talking points around Kentucky Basketball this offseason. Sharpe on the other hand is a projected lottery pick should he choose to go to the NBA, even despite not playing for the Wildcats this season.

Likely Returning

  • F Keion Brooks Jr
  • G Sahvir Wheeler
  • F Jacob Toppin
  • F Daimion Collins
  • G Dontaie Allen
  • F Bryce Hopkins
  • F Lance Ware
  • G CJ Fredrick

Likely headlining the returning options in 2022-23 for the Wildcats will be Wheeler, a two-time Second Team All-SEC selection, as well as Brooks and Toppin who will both be entering their fourth season in college basketball. Collins and Hopkins will likely both play bigger roles next season, as well as depth pieces in Allen and Ware likely doing the same.

New Additions

  • F Chris Livingston
  • G Cason Wallace

Next. Which Kentucky freshman should you watch for this spring?. dark

The Wildcats are currently set to add two players from their 2022 class, both of which are rated as five-star recruits and Top 10 players nationally. Livingston is a versatile two-way wing at 6-foot-6, while Wallace is considered as one of the top combo guards in the entire country.

Home/Kentucky Wildcats