In case you didn’t notice, Kentucky and Mark Pope have officially lost out on Tyran Stokes. This is a major recruiting blow—one that can’t be overstated—as the Wildcats’ head coach heads into his third season in Lexington. Pope now has to shift gears after spending nearly a year chasing his top target. With the transfer portal offering slim pickings due to the lengthy wait, Pope appears to be turning back to his international recruiting roots as part of his recovery strategy.
According to Jacob Polacheck, Pope got on a plane almost immediately after Stokes’s unfavorable decision. He’s reportedly flying to Israel to visit veteran big man Márcio Santos, trying to regain some momentum for Kentucky.
Rebounding with Márcio Santos
Santos, who would likely step into the backup center role behind the expected-to-return Malachi Moreno, has been playing pro basketball overseas since the 2018–19 season. The 23-year-old most recently suited up for Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv in the Euroleague, averaging seven points and two rebounds per game against elite competition.
On the surface, this might not seem like an exciting pursuit. But if Santos is truly the target to back up Moreno, his extensive international experience should translate well to college ball. And a quick look at his highlights would get Big Blue Nation on board. Despite being a bit undersized for a center at 6-foot-9, Santos compensates with a powerful 250-pound frame and a highly physical style. He’s a force in the paint, yet has a fluid enough jumper to be a threat from deep. His shooting splits of 51% overall and 31% from three would work just fine for a second option in the post.
A Solid Complementary Piece
Kentucky still needs a star to fill the role Pope had long reserved for Stokes, but depth is equally crucial. With some additional NIL money now available, Pope’s quick trip suggests he’s had his eye on Santos for a while. As the first move in the post-Stokes backup plan, this is a solid step. As long as Kentucky follows up with more additions, Santos would be a very sensible fit for a growingly formidable second unit.
