Kentucky Basketball: Potential additions to Wildcats 2019-20 roster

Kerry Blackshear Jr.

Virginia Tech big man and grad-transfer target Kerry Blackshear has met with the Kentucky coaching staff and conducted an in home visit a few weeks ago. Bizarrely, Blackshear’s father denied the visit happened, even though…it did. Weird stuff. Ultimately, Blackshear is no where close to deciding on where he’ll fulfill his final year of eligibility.

As of now, he’s declared for the NBA Draft and is exploring all possibilities on that front. In fact, I would say it’s very possible that Blackshear remains in the draft. I have no evidence to back that claim up, just a hunch I’ve developed.

In terms of his college decision (should he pull out), I think the 6’10 center is SEC-bound. Kentucky obviously has reached out and is intrigued, though I doubt he’d come if McDaniels commits to UK; plus, Blackshear may not like the depth Kentucky already has in the frontcourt with Brooks, Nate Sestina, Nick Richards, and EJ Montgomery all expected to suit up in 2020.

As of now, I think Blackshear will attend either Florida or Texas A&M. The Gators have a wealth of perimeter talent, led by 6-5 5-star wing Scottie Lewis, and are a talented big man away from being a serious national threat in 2020. Blackshear could slide in perfectly and be a vital piece of a top-10/15 team. As for A&M, well, he’d be following his former coach Buzz Williams, which is always a likely option in situations like these.

Now, should Richards or Montgomery depart (coming in a minute) or McDaniels go elsewhere, Kentucky would probably go all-in on landing Blackshear and I think there’d be a strong possibility of him ending up in Lexington. Developments in Blackshear’s recruitment will be delayed until after the deadline to pull out of the draft, I presume.