Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope continues to explore options in the transfer portal, and a new name has emerged as a potential target—towering center Gabe Dynes, a Kentucky native who could help address the team’s frontcourt needs.
So far, Kentucky has secured commitments from Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins, both of whom bolster the backcourt. However, the Wildcats still have significant gaps in the frontcourt. At the moment, Malachi Moreno is expected to be the only returning player with meaningful minutes from last season, making it clear that additional size and depth are priorities.
According to reports, Kentucky recently reached out to Dynes after he entered the transfer portal. The 7-foot-5 center, who previously played for the USC Trojans, has drawn interest from several programs across the country, including Tennessee Volunteers, Arizona Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, Oklahoma Sooners, Ole Miss Rebels, and NC State Wolfpack. His recruitment is expected to be competitive, given his rare size and defensive skill set.
There has already been direct communication between Dynes and Kentucky’s coaching staff. Reports indicate that Pope held a FaceTime conversation with the big man, who shared that he grew up watching Kentucky basketball and has long been familiar with Pope. That personal connection could play a role as Dynes evaluates his next move.
A product of Simon Kenton High School in Independence, Kentucky, Dynes was not highly ranked coming out of high school. He originally committed to Youngstown State Penguins, where he quickly developed a reputation as an elite rim protector. As a freshman, he averaged 2.3 blocks in limited minutes, and he improved to 3.1 blocks per game during his sophomore season while seeing increased playing time. His ability to alter shots and defend the paint made him one of the more intriguing defensive big men in his conference.
After that breakout stretch, Dynes entered the transfer portal and eventually landed at USC. During his time with the Trojans, he appeared in 30 games, including six starts. While his offensive production was modest—averaging just under three points per game—he was extremely efficient when shooting, converting nearly 79% of his attempts. He also contributed on the boards and as a shot blocker, though his playing time remained somewhat limited.
One area of concern in Dynes’ game is his free-throw shooting. He struggled significantly at the line, shooting just over 35% last season and under 44% for his career. That limitation could affect his ability to stay on the floor in close games.
With only one year of eligibility remaining, Dynes may prioritize finding a program where he can play a larger role and log heavy minutes. However, the opportunity to return home and play for Kentucky could be appealing, even if it means accepting a role similar to what he had at USC.
As Kentucky continues to reshape its roster, Dynes stands out as a unique option who could bring size, defense, and local ties to the program. Whether that’s enough to secure his commitment remains to be seen.
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