Kentucky has Zoom call with G-League star Dink Pate

February 14, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Team G-League guard Dink Pate (1) of the Mexico City Capitanes shoots the ball against Team C during the 2025 NBA Rising Stars Game at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The Kentucky Wildcats are in full go mode as the transfer portal opened Tuesday at midnight. Mark Pope and staff have been reported to be interested in a number of guys already, but G-League star Dink Pate has been in Pope’s sight for a while now.

Kentucky hosted a Zoom call on Tuesday with Pate, according to KSR’s Jack Pilgrim. It came after Pope traveled to New York to watch Pate play his regular-season finale with the Westchester Knicks at the end of March. Pope had also been in to watch Pate earlier in March during a game in Philadelphia.

The versatile, 6-7 guard also had a Zoom interview with SMU on Tuesday, as he’s been a highly sought-after player on the college basketball scene. The Mustangs now have Jason Hart, who was Pope’s top recruiter while with UK. Some thought Hart’s move to SMU could end the Wildcats’ chances of landing Pate, but Pope clearly isn’t throwing in the towel.

Pate has repeatedly said he wants to play college basketball during the 2026-2027 season. Although he has a great relationship with Hart, the Wildcats are still making a run at the Dallas, Texas native.

One to watch for.

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