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Kentucky Basketball: Wildcats’ projected starting lineup for 2022-2023

By Jahlynn Hancock

Kentucky basketball forward Oscar Tshiebwe. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)
Kentucky basketball forward Oscar Tshiebwe. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports) /
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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 12: Keion Brooks Jr. #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates in the first half against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena on February 12, 2022 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Potential Kentucky starting lineup

From the five-star recruits, potential transfers and current veterans of the Wildcats, their are a lot of possible rotations to be built.. It’s difficult to know what the lineup will look like without confirmation on those declaring for the draft or the potential transfers taking the offer. But here is one possibility.

  • Cason Wallace — Guard, Fr.
  • Sahvir Wheeler — Point guard, Sr.
  • Chris Livingston — Wing/Guard, Fr.
  • Keion Brooks — Forward, Sr.
  • Jacob Toppin — Forward, Sr.

The potential starting lineup could look something like this, but the biggest concern for Calipari is going to be, who to put as a big man? Between Brooks, Livingston and Toppin, they have a lot of forwards who are more effective on offense.

Wallace has the defensive intensity on the perimeter that could make it possible to play without a traditional center protecting the rim.

Redshirt senior, C.J Fredrick and sophomore, Daimion Collins would be two great backup options off the bench. Putting them in rotation with the potential starters could ease the need for a big man and push for shooters off the bench.

Coach Calipari could also consider looking into the transfer portal for a big man to replace Tshiebwe, should he go pro. Kentucky has shooters and frontcourt players but could become vulnerable in the post without a backup or replacement for Tshiebwe.