UK Basketball is recruiting Kentucky native and 7-foot-5 transfer center Gabe Dynes

Feb 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Xavier Booker (1) drives to the basket between Southern California Trojans center Gabe Dynes (45) and forward Jacob Cofie (6) during the second half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images | Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images The Kentucky Wildcats have now landed a pair of transfer portal commitments in Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins, but both of those guys are backcourt players. When it comes to the frontcourt, Kentucky has a lot of work to be done, as Malachi Moreno is set to be the only returning player who logged significant minutes last season. On Saturday, On3’s Joe Tipton reported that the Wildcats were among the schools to reach out to USC Trojans transfer Gabe Dynes, who entered the portal on Friday and is a native of Independence, Kentucky. Other schools showing interest include Tennessee, Arizona, Louisville, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and NC State. Now, KSR’s Jacob Polacheck says Mark Pope had a FaceTime call with Dynes, who even said he grew up a fan of Pope and has watched a lot of Kentucky games. The 7-foot-5, 214-pound product of Simon Kenton High School was an unranked class of 2023 recruit who signed with Youngstown State, where he became an elite shot-blocking presence. He averaged 2.3 blocks in 13.6 minutes per game as a freshman and 3.1 across 21.8 minutes per outing as a sophomore. The following offseason, Dynes entered the transfer portal and was ranked 195th overall in the portal by 247 Sports Composite before signing with the Trojans. He played in 30 games (six starts), averaging 2.9 points (78.8% shooting), 2.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 11.9 minutes per contest. He shot just 35.3% on free throws and is a career 43.6% shooter from the charity stripe. Dynes is an intriguing prospect, but with just one season of eligibility left, he may be looking to play for someone where he’ll be assured of getting heavy minutes. Unless, maybe he’s willing to take on a similar role that he had at USC for a program like Kentucky that will allow him to return home for his final year. We shall see.

UK Basketball is recruiting Kentucky native and 7-foot-5 transfer center Gabe Dynes

Related Articles

East playoffs: Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs cruise past Raptors

West playoffs: Jamal Murray drops 30 as Nuggets take Game 1

Everton vs Liverpool: Opposition Analysis | Seize the Day, in European Push!

Badgers land top target in transfer portal to join backcourt

Ole Miss wins first baseball series at Tennessee since 2016

"Mi sensación es que es solo el principio"

More from Sports