Kentucky’s recruiting class in 2021 was rather unusual, an outlier from the school’s typical haul year after year. TyTy Washington was widely seen as an instant-impact player in the backcourt, while Daimion Collins and Bryce Hopkins were seen more as high-potential development pieces. Only three high school signees, the fewest of the John Calipari era.
UK did, however, add four players out of the transfer portal in Oscar Tshiebwe, Kellan Grady, Sahvir Wheeler and C.J. Fredrick. The Wildcats also returned Davion Mintz, Keion Brooks Jr., Jacob Toppin, Dontaie Allen and Lance Ware, giving Calipari his most experienced roster since he arrived in Lexington.