Kentucky Basketball’s Mark Pope travels to Israel to scout Márcio Santos

PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 9: Marcio Santos of Maccabi takes a free shoot during the EuroLeague match between Paris Basketball and Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv at Adidas Arena on April 9, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Federico Pestellini/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Kentucky Basketball head coach Mark Pope is taking his recruiting efforts overseas, flying to Israel on Wednesday to meet with Maccabi Tel Aviv center Márcio Santos, according to Jacob Polacheck of KSR.

Santos, a 6-foot-8 center, averaged 8.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, one assist, and 0.6 blocks during the 2025–26 Winner League season with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The Brazilian big man brings extensive professional experience, previously competing with Sesi Franca in the NBB Americas League from 2018-24 and spending the 2024–25 season with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany’s Basketball Bundesliga.

Pope’s trip signals Kentucky’s continued focus on adding experienced international talent. The Wildcats already secured Senegalese forward Ousmane N’Diaye on April 24 and could look to Santos as another frontcourt option as the roster takes shape.

Kentucky currently has 11 players on its roster heading into the upcoming season, made up of a mix of returning contributors, transfer portal additions, an international signee, and incoming freshmen.

The Wildcats return five players from last year’s team, including Malachi Moreno (7.8 PPG), who is currently testing the NBA Draft waters. He’s joined by Kam Williams (6.0 PPG) and Trent Noah (3.0 PPG), along with Reece Potter and Braydon Hawthorne, who did not see game action.

Mark Pope and his staff have also added three players through the transfer portal: former Washington guard Zoom Diallo, Furman wing Alex Wilkins, and James Madison transfer Justin McBride, all of whom are expected to compete for immediate roles.