NCAA Basketball: Top 10 sit-out transfers heading into 2019-20
By Alex Weber
4. Quade Green, 6’0 Guard (Kentucky > Washington)
Quade was never the typical athletic dribble-drive savant Kentucky fans or John Calipari were accustomed to. Instead, he was a short, relatively unathletic shot-maker who perpetually struggled on defense: not the perfect recipe for a Calipari point guard. His role coming into the season was simply laid out and came with elevated expectations: start as a freshman and prove to be a consistent shot-maker, and then flourish into Tyler Ulis 2.0 as a sophomore.
That script never came to fruition and mid-way through his freshman campaign, Quade was demoted to the bench for a lanky 6’6 lane-driving artist who just turned in a 25-point performance against the Warriors in the NBA Playoffs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fit the Kentucky mold like a glove and ascended to lottery-pick status by year’s end.
Green’s second year wasn’t any better. This time around, his minutes were being challenged by athletic newcomers Ashton Hagans and Immanuel Quickley. Eventually, Quade realized his role was shaky and took the action he held off on a few months earlier: transferring. Ultimately, he was able to bounce to a program with a more friendly system to his game and where he’ll get more playing time.
I think he will help the 2020 Husky squad immensely, especially after Jaylen Nowell’s departure. With Isaiah Stewert already signed and Jaden McDaniels possibly next, Washington will have potentially two five-stars in the frontcourt, and in need of perimeter talent. Green won’t be eligible until after Christmas, but when he comes on board, his shot-making and passing ability will help Mike Hopkins’ club tremendously. Plus, the zone will hide Quade’s porous defense and inability to stay in front of his man.