After missing out on many of his top transfer portal and high school recruiting targets, Mark Pope is now looking to the international route to finalize the 2026-27 Kentucky Basketball roster.
One name rumored to be in the mix was Stefan Joksimovic, a tantalizing prospect from Europe who could end up being a first-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.
Unfortunately, Joksimovic is not pursuing a path toward college basketball and plans to stay with his current team, Saski Baskonia, a professional team based
in Spain.
This, according to Joksimovic’s agent, Sasa Zagorac, who broke the news on Friday that his client will remain in Spain.
“Recent reports suggesting that Stefan Joksimovic has been linked with a potential move to the NCAA are inaccurate,” Zagoric said on Twitter. As his agent, I confirm that he remains fully committed to Baskonia for next season and is focused on his development and the upcoming challenges with the club.“
The 6-foot-7 native of Slovenia could have been just what Kentucky needed for a starting 3 next season. As of now, Kam Williams is set to take on that role, with Braydon Hawthorne also likely getting significant playing time as things stand, though Kam can also play the 2 and could see occasional minutes at the 4 next season.
Kentucky was obviously hoping to get Tyran Stokes to fill that 3 spot, but after missing on him, Pope will have to get creative if he wants to add an impact player there.
We can cross off Joksimovic from the list of options.
