Mark Pope clearly didn't take BYU's acquisition of Collin Chandler lightly, as the Wildcats are heavily in the running to obtain two of BYU basketball's starters from the 2025-26 season.
First, it was Kennard Davis, the Southern Illinois transfer who struggled to find his shot in Provo (just 32% from three, compared to 37.6% as a sophomore with the Salukis), but provided capable on-ball perimeter defense when his teammates couldn't stop a slug on a skateboard. Davis seemed to play better with the ball in his hands as a primary initiator, and struggled greatly as a catch-and-shoot sentry in his role behind the trio of AJ Dybantsa, Richie Saunders, and Rob Wright III.
Kentucky has expressed interest in BYU guard Kennard Davis Jr., per @KayserHoops.
— Casey (@BleedBlueCasey) April 12, 2026
The 6'6 junior averaged 8.5 points and shot 32% from three this past season.
Has really good physical tools for a guard.pic.twitter.com/EJC8RE1MtN
Speaking of Rob Wright III, he's the second former Cougar in Mark Pope's sights. The Baylor transfer-turned BYU Cougar enjoyed a career-best year in Provo, serving as the Cougars' most reliable three-point shooter and the initiator of the AJ Dybantsa-centric offense.
Wright, after repeatedly insisting he planned to stay in Provo for another season, reportedly asked an absurd price in NIL negotiations that BYU either wouldn't or couldn't match. So he hit the portal.
Per current reports, Wright is 100% crystal-balled to play his third college season in Lexington -- essentially a 1:1 trade for Collin Chandler between Kentucky head coach Mark Pope and his former program in the Beehive State.
Do I believe Kentucky's interest in obtaining these former Cougs is done with vitriol? No, absolutely not. In the current age of NIL and transfer freedom, players and programs are completely free to extend or accept the best offer available and make career decisions that work for them first and foremost. Rob Wright and Kennard Davis are power-level athletes -- they both proved that at BYU -- and programs like Kentucky are right to offer players of their caliber.
Collin Chandler's exodus certainly stung, as his departure yanks a chunk of foundation from the beginning of Pope's tenure in Lexington, but Kentucky won't make personnel decisions out of spite. Blue bloods pick up players that will help them win -- full-stop.
Still, it's fascinating to watch as Mark Pope remains tied to his former program in the Big 12 Conference. It seems to be only a matter of time before their paths cross again.
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