Top three-point shooters for Mark Pope to target in the transfer portal

Mark Pope needs to look at these elite shooters in the transfer portal.

Dec 13, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Central Arkansas Bears guard Camren Hunter (1) dribbles the ball past Vanderbilt Commodores guard Tyler Tanner (3) during the second half at Memorial Gymnasium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Mark Pope and the Kentucky coaching staff are going to be looking all over the transfer portal to try and add some elite shooters to the 2026-27 Kentucky roster. Shooting last season outside of Collin Chandler wasn’t elite for the Wildcats, and for the Pope system to work, his teams need to be chock-full of sharpshooters.

Kam Williams and Chandler are the two shooters' fans hope to see back from last year’s team, but even if both of these guys do come back next year, Pope will need to go out and get more shooting. There are already some really solid shooters who have announced that they intend to hit the portal when it opens on April 7th.

Let’s take a look at three sharpshooters Coach Pope needs to take a look at in the transfer portal.

Three shooters for Mark Pope to take a look at when the transfer portal opens on the 7th

Devin Vanterpool

Devin Vanterpool | Devin Vanterpool

One guy that Big Blue Nation really likes is former FAU combo guard Devin Vanterpool. This season, the 6’4 combo guard averaged 15.8 points to go with 6.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He shot 43.8% from the field and 35.1% from three. Vanterpool went 52-148 from three this season for the Owls. The best part about Vanterpool is that his game isn’t one-dimensional. He can score all over the floor and is a really good defender. The exciting part is that he can shoot the ball from deep, which Pope needs.

Brett Decker Jr.

Dec 6, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Liberty Flames guard Brett Decker Jr. (4) shoots a free throw during the second half of the game against the NC State Wolfpack at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

When it comes to pure shooting, Brett Decker Jr. is an absolute sharpshooter. The 6’3 Liberty transfer is a Kentucky native from Elizabethtown. On the season, Decker Jr. averaged 16.9 points per game while shooting 49.9% from the field and an impressive 47.1% from three. He went 114 for 242 from deep this season. Decker Jr. is a one-dimensional player as he is truly just a shooter. He really struggles on the defensive end of the floor, but 47% from three can’t be denied. If Pope wants an elite shooter, he can take this kid and hope to develop the rest of his game.

Camren Hunter

Nov 11, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) looks on as UCA Bears guard Camren Hunter (1) shoots a free throw in the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 93-56. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Camren Hunter is one of my favorite prospects in the transfer portal. He averaged 21 points, 4.2 rebounds, ,2.7 assists, and 1.4 steals per game this season for Central Arkansas. He shot an efficient 50.6% from the field and 36.9% from three. Hunter can score from all over the floor but shot a great percentage from three on six attempts per game. This kid is a natural scorer who has the ability to shoot, which would make him a perfect fit in Lexington. Coach Pope needs to make a run at this 6’3 guard.