Kentucky has stepped up its pursuit of G League guard Dink Pate as the transfer portal opens and early contact heats up across college basketball. The Wildcats held a Zoom call with Pate on Tuesday, adding another clear sign that Mark Pope and his staff remain active in the race for one of the most watched young talents in the market.
The meeting came after Pope made multiple in-person evaluations of Pate in recent weeks. Pope first watched him in Philadelphia earlier in the month, then traveled to New York to see him in the Westchester Knicks’ regular-season finale at the end of March, according to KSR’s Jack Pilgrim.
Why Pate remains a major target
Pate stands out because of his size, skill, and upside. The 6-foot-7 guard has drawn attention from several college programs, and his ability to handle the ball, create offense, and defend multiple positions makes him an appealing fit for high-level college systems.
Kentucky’s interest has been long-running, which matters in a recruitment that now features heavy competition. Pate also had a Zoom interview with SMU on Tuesday, showing that the race for his commitment is not limited to one program.
What Kentucky is trying to overcome
SMU has its own advantage in the chase for Pate because the school now has Jason Hart on staff. Hart previously served as Pope’s top recruiter at Kentucky, and that relationship has led some observers to wonder whether it would tilt the recruitment in SMU’s favor.
Pope’s continued involvement suggests Kentucky is not backing away from the challenge. The Wildcats are still pressing forward even with Hart at SMU and even though Pate has a strong connection with him.
Pate’s college timeline keeps Kentucky in the mix
Pate has repeatedly said he wants to play college basketball during the 2026-2027 season. That timeline keeps him on the radar now, even though he is currently with the G League and continues to build his profile against professional competition.
For Kentucky, that creates a recruiting situation with both immediate value and future planning. Programs that can stay patient while showing consistent interest may have an edge, and Pope’s repeated visits and the Zoom call show that the Wildcats are trying to stay firmly in that group.
Key details in the recruitment
- Kentucky held a Zoom call with Dink Pate on Tuesday.
- Mark Pope watched Pate in Philadelphia earlier in the month.
- Pope also traveled to New York for Pate’s Westchester Knicks regular-season finale.
- SMU also met with Pate on Zoom on Tuesday.
- Pate has said he wants to play college basketball in the 2026-2027 season.
Pate remains one of the more intriguing names on Kentucky’s board because he brings size, versatility, and long-term upside that fit modern college basketball. With Pope still involved and SMU pushing hard as well, the recruitment now appears set to continue as one of the more closely followed storylines in the portal cycle.
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