Transfer portal and NBA Draft dates to know for Kentucky Basketball offseason

The college basketball offseason is well underway with the transfer portal in full swing. Here are a few important dates that the Kentucky Wildcats will follow throughout the spring and summer:

Tuesday, April 21: Transfer portal entry window closes

The transfer portal window has been shortened to 2 weeks, limiting the time players have to decide whether to enter the portal. This deadline only applies to players entering the portal. Players who are already in can still take visits and commit after this date.

Friday, April 24 (11:59 PM ET): NBA Draft Early Entry Deadline

This is when we’ll know who will keep testing the NBA Draft waters for several more weeks. Outside of Malachi Moreno and Jayden Quaintance, no other Wildcat appears likely to test the draft waters

Thursday, April 30: Recruiting period ends

This is the final day of the April recruiting period, both for high school prospects and transfer portal players. From April 10 through April 30, programs are allowed to host both on-and off-campus visits. A quiet period begins Friday, May 1, and runs through Saturday, May 9, during which no off-campus in-person recruiting contact is permitted.

May 8-10, Chicago, Illinois: NBA G-League Combine

This is when we could see Otega Oweh get a chance to boost his stock and hopefully earn an invite to the NBA Combine.

May 10, Chicago, Illinois: NBA Draft Lottery

May 10-17, Chicago, Illinois: NBA Draft Combine

May 27 (11:59 PM ET): NCAA Early Entry Withdrawal Deadline

This will be the deadline for Malachi Moreno and others to withdraw from the draft if they want to remain in college basketball.

June 13 (5:00 PM ET): NBA Early Withdrawal Deadline

This is the NBA’s deadline to withdraw or stay in the draft.

June 23, Brooklyn, New York (8:00 PM ET): 2026 NBA Draft First Round

Assuming Jayden Quaintance remains in the draft, expect this to be the night his name is called.

June 24, Brooklyn, New York (8:00 PM ET): 2026 NBA Draft- Second Round

If Oweh can have a good pre-draft process, there’s a chance he will hear his name called toward the end of this night. That is, so long as he doesn’t try to make a push for a fifth season of college basketball.

July 9-19, Las Vegas, Nevada: NBA Summer League

This is when we’ll likely get a chance to see Otega Oweh and other former Cats look to show what they’re made of and hopefully earn a spot on an NBA roster.

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