As the 2026-27 college basketball season approaches, expectations surrounding the Kentucky Wildcats continue to build. With a talented roster featuring several players capable of making an impact in different ways, Kentucky is beginning to receive significant attention from national analysts.
CBS Sports writer Isaac Trotter recently took a closer look at the top players at each position entering the new season, and Kentucky was well represented. Four Wildcats appeared on his list, with each player earning recognition for a different role.
The players are Zoom Diallo, Alex Wilkins, Milan Momcilovic and Malachi Moreno, giving Kentucky representation at point guard, combo guard, wing and center.
Zoom Diallo Emerges as a Top Initiating Point Guard
One of the Kentucky players featured by Trotter is Zoom Diallo, who was recognized in the initiator point guard category.
Diallo is expected to take on an important role as Kentucky’s starting point guard this season. Beyond simply scoring, his biggest responsibility will be organizing the offense, creating opportunities for teammates and making sure the Wildcats consistently get into their offensive sets.
The young guard averaged 15.7 points and 4.5 assists per game last season, showing that he can contribute as both a scorer and facilitator.
His playmaking could become even more important this season because of the number of talented offensive options around him. Players such as Alex Wilkins, Milan Momcilovic and Malachi Moreno give Diallo several reliable targets to work with.
If Diallo becomes more comfortable controlling the offense and consistently finds Kentucky’s top scoring options, his assist production could take another step forward. A jump toward six or seven assists per game would make him an even more influential part of the Wildcats’ attack.
Alex Wilkins Brings Scoring and Playmaking
Kentucky also received recognition in the combo guard category through Alex Wilkins.
Wilkins arrives at Kentucky after an impressive freshman campaign at Furman, where he quickly established himself as one of the team’s most important players. He nearly helped the Paladins produce a major NCAA Tournament upset against UConn before their tournament run came to an end.
His statistical production demonstrates why there is so much excitement surrounding his move to Kentucky.
Wilkins averaged 17.8 points and 4.7 assists per game, giving him the ability to hurt opponents both as a scorer and a passer. His versatility should allow Kentucky to use him in multiple roles rather than limiting him to one position.
That flexibility could prove especially valuable during games when Kentucky needs another ball-handler, a secondary creator or someone capable of taking over offensively.
With Diallo expected to handle much of the primary point guard responsibility, Wilkins could have opportunities to operate with the ball in his hands while also playing alongside another capable creator.
Milan Momcilovic Gets Major Recognition
Perhaps the biggest individual recognition among the four Wildcats came in the off-ball wing category, where Milan Momcilovic was ranked No. 1 by Trotter.
Momcilovic enters Kentucky with a proven ability to score efficiently. During his time at Iowa State, he demonstrated what he could do when given opportunities to attack and shoot consistently.
He averaged 16.9 points per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and an outstanding 48.7% from three-point range on 7.5 attempts per game.
Those numbers highlight why Momcilovic could become one of the most dangerous offensive weapons on Kentucky’s roster.
His ability to stretch the floor should create additional space for Kentucky’s guards and big men. Defenders who leave him open on the perimeter could pay for it quickly, while opponents who stay attached to him may create driving lanes and interior opportunities for Kentucky’s other players.
If Momcilovic can reproduce anything close to his previous level of efficiency and production, he has a chance to establish himself as one of the most productive players in college basketball.
Malachi Moreno Represents Kentucky at Center
The fourth Wildcat on Trotter’s list is Malachi Moreno, who was recognized in the true 5 category.
Moreno showed flashes last season of why Kentucky viewed him as an important piece of its frontcourt. His development was particularly notable because his performances were strong enough to make the NBA Draft decision more complicated than many initially expected.
Ultimately, Moreno chose to return to Kentucky for another season, giving himself another opportunity to develop his game and potentially improve his draft position.
He averaged 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 58.2% from the field.
The next step for Moreno will be becoming more physically imposing. An offseason focused on adding strength, improving his rebounding and becoming more physical on both ends of the floor could help him make a significant jump.
If he can become more consistent around the basket while improving his ability to control the glass, Moreno could become one of the most important players in Kentucky’s frontcourt.
Four Players, One Big Opportunity for Kentucky
Having four players recognized across different positional categories provides another indication of the talent and versatility Kentucky will bring into the 2026-27 season.
Diallo gives the Wildcats a potential primary facilitator. Wilkins provides another dynamic guard capable of scoring and creating. Momcilovic gives the team an elite perimeter shooting threat, while Moreno offers a developing interior presence.
The bigger question now is how effectively those individual talents come together as a team.
Kentucky will need its highly regarded players to translate individual production into consistent team success, particularly once conference play and the NCAA Tournament arrive. The Wildcats are hoping this group can help them make a deep postseason run and return to the Elite Eight for the first time since the 2018-19 season.
With four Wildcats already receiving national positional recognition before the season begins, there is plenty of anticipation surrounding what this Kentucky team can accomplish when the games finally get underway.
Leave a Reply