Mark Pope Expects Kam Williams to Miss Kentucky’s Opener Against Manhattan

Kentucky coach Mark Pope said Friday he does not expect Kam Williams to play in Tuesday’s season opener against Manhattan, as Kentucky continues to monitor the returning wing’s recovery from a foot injury.

Pope described Williams as day-to-day beyond the opener and emphasized caution after a Jones fracture and a subsequent setback. He did not give a date for Williams’ first appearance of the regular season.

“I don’t expect to see him touch the floor on Tuesday, that’s for sure,” Pope said, according to Kentucky Sports Radio. The coach said Kentucky would assess Williams daily rather than rush the process.

Williams had been participating in five-on-zero practice work, with limited live work against the scout team planned for Friday. Those practice steps did not amount to clearance for the Manhattan game.

Kentucky’s own preseason account recorded that Williams missed 12 games because of a foot injury last season and averaged 6.0 points. He returns to a team that went 22–14 and reached the NCAA Tournament’s second round.

The current Kentucky roster lists Williams as a junior guard from Lafayette, Louisiana, wearing No. 3. He arrived from Tulane, giving Pope an experienced returning option once his recovery allows a return to competition.

Williams made seven starts in his 24 appearances. Before transferring, he started 28 games as a Tulane freshman and shot 41.2 percent from three-point range, giving Kentucky another perimeter shooting option.

Pope rebuilt much of the roster through the transfer portal, bringing in six transfers alongside returning players. Malachi Moreno and Trent Noah were among the returnees, with freshmen and international newcomer Ousmane N’Diaye also added.

Manhattan is the first regular-season opponent on Kentucky’s November schedule at Rupp Arena. James Madison follows, before the Wildcats face Kansas in the Champions Classic.

Williams’ availability for those later games remains unconfirmed.