Kentucky Basketball Makes Late Call to Allen Graves, but Duke and LSU Lead the Race

In the high-stakes world of college basketball roster construction, Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats have been hunting for one more game-changing piece to complete next season’s puzzle. For weeks, the name Milan Momcilovic has dominated the rumor mill as the only “big fish” left on the board. But according to a new report from ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, the Cats quietly cast a line toward another intriguing prospect: Santa Clara forward Allen Graves. The only problem? Kentucky’s call might have come too late.

Graves, a 6-foot-9, 225-pound Los Angeles native who torched the nets for the Broncos last season, confirmed that Kentucky’s agents reached out to his camp. However, the sharpshooting forward is currently locked in on just two programs—Duke and LSU—and that’s only if he ultimately decides to withdraw from the NBA Draft. For Kentucky, this feels like a swing and a miss on a player who could have been the perfect addition to Pope’s perimeter-oriented system.

Who Is Allen Graves? A Deep Dive into His Game

To understand why Kentucky made the call, you have to look past the box score and into the tape. Graves is not just a shooter; he’s a two-way weapon who impacts the game in ways that don’t always show up in traditional stats. During his sophomore season at Santa Clara, he averaged 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.8 assists in just 22.6 minutes per game. But the number that jumps off the page is his 41.3% three-point shooting on significant volume.

Graves is a modern forward who thrives in space. He can catch and shoot, put the ball on the floor, and even create for others. Defensively, his 1.9 steals per game highlight active hands and a high basketball IQ. He’s the kind of player who fits seamlessly into any system that values floor spacing and positional versatility.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what makes Graves special:

• Elite shooting: 41.3% from deep on high volume, with a quick release that translates to the next level.
• Rebounding instincts: 6.5 boards per game from the forward spot, often attacking the glass from the perimeter.
• Defensive disruption: Nearly two steals a game, with the length to guard multiple positions.
• Clutch gene: Hit the go-ahead three against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament—a shot that would have been legendary if not for Otega Oweh’s half-court miracle.

It’s easy to see why Mark Pope saw Graves as a potential missing piece. But the timing and the competition make this an uphill battle for the Wildcats.

The Duke and LSU Factor: Why Kentucky Is on the Outside Looking In

According to Borzello, Graves’ camp has narrowed the list to Duke and LSU—and even that is contingent on him pulling out of the NBA Draft. For Kentucky, this is a clear signal that the relationship never got past the initial feeler stage. Why?

First, Duke’s brand and development track record are hard to beat. Jon Scheyer has built a program that regularly funnels players to the NBA, and Graves likely sees Durham as a place where he can showcase his skills on the biggest stage. The Blue Devils have a history of turning versatile forwards into lottery picks, and Graves fits that mold perfectly.

Second, LSU’s pitch is all about opportunity and system fit. Matt McMahon has assembled a roster that values pace and space, and Graves would be the primary scoring option from day one. The SEC also offers the kind of nightly competition that NBA scouts crave.

Kentucky, meanwhile, is in a tricky spot. The Wildcats already have a loaded backcourt and a talented frontcourt, but they lack a proven stretch-four who can consistently knock down threes and defend on the perimeter. Graves would have been that guy. But with Duke and LSU already in pole position, the Cats are left to wonder what might have been.

What This Means for Kentucky: Momcilovic or Bust?

With Graves seemingly off the table, the pressure now shifts entirely to Milan Momcilovic. The Iowa State transfer is a 6-foot-8 forward with a silky smooth jumper and a reputation for hitting big shots. He’s the type of player who could be the final piece for a Kentucky team that already looks like a contender in the SEC.

But here’s the problem: Momcilovic is being courted by nearly every blue blood in the country. He’s taking his time, weighing his options, and there’s no guarantee he picks Kentucky. If the Cats whiff on Momcilovic, they’ll be left with a roster that is very good but not elite in terms of star power.

Let’s look at what Kentucky currently has versus what they need:

• Backcourt: Loaded with guards who can score and create. No issues here.
• Wings: Solid, but lacking a true knockdown shooter with size.
• Frontcourt: Athletic and long, but thin on proven scoring.
• Missing piece: A versatile forward who can shoot 40% from three and defend multiple positions.

Graves fit that description perfectly. Momcilovic fits it, too. But if Kentucky misses on both, Pope will have to get creative with the transfer portal or rely on internal development. That’s a risky bet for a program that expects to compete for a national title every season.

Expert Analysis: Why Kentucky’s Late Interest Matters

From a strategic standpoint, Kentucky’s contact with Graves is a sign that the coaching staff is leaving no stone unturned. Mark Pope has earned a reputation as a relentless recruiter, and this move shows he’s willing to swing for the fences even when the odds are long. But it also reveals a potential weakness in the Wildcats’ recruiting approach: they are reacting late to the market.

Graves has been on NBA radars for months. His performance against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament—where he hit the go-ahead three before Oweh’s miracle—only elevated his stock. If the Cats wanted him, they should have been in the mix earlier. By the time they called, Duke and LSU had already built relationships and presented their visions.

This is a lesson for Pope and his staff: in the modern transfer portal era, timing is everything. The best players are often locked in before the calendar flips to May. Kentucky can’t afford to be a late entrant in the race for elite talent.

Prediction: Where Does Allen Graves End Up?

Based on all available information, I see two likely outcomes for Graves:

Option 1: He stays in the NBA Draft. Graves has made it clear that his preference is to turn pro. If he gets a promise in the second round or a two-way deal, he’s gone. He’s 21 years old, has a translatable skill (shooting), and the modern NBA values that more than ever.

Option 2: He picks Duke. If he returns to college, the Blue Devils offer the best combination of exposure, development, and winning. LSU is a strong contender, but Duke’s track record with forwards like Graves is unmatched. I’d put the odds at 60% Duke, 30% LSU, and 10% staying in the draft.

Either way, Kentucky is not in the picture. The Cats will have to turn their full attention to Momcilovic or explore other options in the portal. It’s not a disaster—Kentucky still has a top-10 roster—but it’s a missed opportunity to add a player who could have been the difference between a Sweet 16 and a Final Four.

Strong Conclusion: The Bigger Picture for Kentucky Basketball

Allen Graves is a reminder that in college basketball, the window for roster construction is narrow and unforgiving. Kentucky made a smart call by reaching out, but it was a case of too little, too late. The Wildcats now find themselves in a familiar position: chasing a star player while other programs have already built the foundation.

Mark Pope has done an excellent job reshaping this roster after the John Calipari era. He’s brought in talent, instilled a new culture, and created a system that players want to play in. But the margin for error in Lexington is razor-thin. Fans expect championships, not moral victories.

If Kentucky lands Milan Momcilovic, this will be a footnote—a what-if that never materialized. If they don’t, the Graves miss will sting a little more. Either way, the Cats have the pieces to be dangerous. The question is whether they have enough to be great.

For now, the basketball world watches. Allen Graves will make his decision soon, and Kentucky will pivot to Plan B. But one thing is certain: Mark Pope won’t stop swinging. The Cats may have missed on this particular target, but the hunt for impact players never ends in the bluegrass state.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.