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Tre Mitchell Overlooked in ESPN Transfer Rankings, Ranked Outside Top 50

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Tre Mitchell and the Kentucky Wildcats against Team Canada at GLOBL JAM
UK Athletics

This offseason, many fans were upset about Kentucky missing out on Hunter Dickinson (Kansas) and Keshad Johnson (Arizona), and the Wildcats’ lack of activity in the transfer portal in general. However, the stars aligned perfectly as they received a commitment from West Virginia transfer, Tre Mitchell.

When Mitchell entered the portal, Kentucky just made sense. Both Mitchell and John Calipari are from the Pittsburgh area, his step-father and Calipari have a decades-long working relationship, and there was even some mutual interest out of high school. Considering those things, is it easy to see why Kentucky was Mithcell’s only visit, committing just days after entering the portal.

A four-year collegiate player, Mitchell brings experience and a versatile offensive skillset to the roster and that can be seen in his career averages of 13.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists on 34.7 shooting from three.

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It was also seen during the Wildcats’ trip to Canada for GLOBL JAM earlier this month, where Mitchell looked like a perfectly fitting piece. In four games, Mitchell topped his career averages with 14.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 44.4 percent from three.

Last week and following that performance, ESPN”s Jeff Borzello ranked his top 100 transfers. On one hand, Mitchell did make the list, but on the other hand, is he ranked too low?

Ranked 64th, Mitchell is ranked ahead of all four of Kentucky’s outgoing transfers, but is also ranked behind the likes of Arterio Morris (Kansas), MJ Rice (NC State), and Yohan Traore (UC Santa Barbara), none of which have started a game at the collegiate level. With that said, there are more talented players in Borzello’s rankings, but there are few that could fit this Kentucky roster as well as Mitchell.

This is unusual as Borzello ranked Mitchell as a Top 5 transfer in 2021 when transferring from UMass. With that said, this isn’t the first controversial ranking for Borzello as he ranked Antonio Reeves as the 36th-best transfer in 2022.

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What is your opinion? Is Tre Mitchell ranked too high, too low, or just right?

BB Recruiting

Wake Forest Transfer Andrew Carr Commits to Kentucky

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Wake Forest transfer Andrew Carr has committed to play for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats.
David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

After finalizing all but one member of the staff last week, including the official announcements of top recruiters Alvin Brooks and Jason Hart, the Kentucky Wildcats have received their third commitment in as many days.

“BOOM!” Kentucky assistant Cody Fueger tweeted out on Sunday afternoon. Just hours later, Wake Forest transfer Andrew Carr announced his commitment to Kentucky.

Carr is ranked as the 75th-best transfer by ESPN.

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Carr began his college career at Delaware, where his father and uncle both played. After two seasons, he elected to transfer to Wake Forest, where started in all 68 games. This past season, Carr was the star big man of a Demon Deacon team that won 20+ games for just the second time over the last decade.

This past season, Carr averaged career-highs in points at 13.5 per game, and rebounds at 6.8 per game. Doing so on 53% shooting from the field and 37% from deep. Per KenPom, he played primarily at the 4 spot and occasionally logged minutes at the 5, so he can play alongside Amari Williams as a stretch big. It is worth noting that Kentucky is also hosting Utah State transfer big Great Osobor for a three-day visit, alongside his family.

While Carr is experienced, his NCAA Tournament experience is limited. Playing just one tournament game, a 20-point loss to a 2-seeded Villanova team in 2022.

Watch a breakdown of the newest Wildcat below.

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Also posted on A Sea of Blue.

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BB Recruiting

Top 25 Transfer Otega Oweh Commits to Kentucky

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Oklahoma Sooners transfer Otega Oweh has comitted to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Following Lamont Butler’s commitment to Kentucky on Friday, the Wildcats have received another commitment less than 24 hours later. This time Oklahoma transfer Otega Oweh, he announced on his social media.

This comes after Oweh visited Lexington earlier this week, with reports coming out that his recruitment could be wrapped up quickly after.

Oweh is a top 25 transfer according to 247Sports, 38th by EvanMiya, and 55th by ESPN. Listed at 6-5, 210 pounds, Oweh is a strong and physical guard. His strength and athleticism have been a strength dating back to high school, which allows him to impact the game defensively, and also to get to the rim and thrive in transition opportunities.

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In two years at Oklahoma, the area that Oweh has significantly improved in has been his shooting. As a freshman, he shot just 25 percent from three, on just four attempts for the season, to 37.7 percent as a sophomore, making 20 of his 53 attempts. Most of that success comes from catch-and-shoot opportunities, where he rates in the 87th percentile. His ability to shoot off the dribble is the polar opposite, rating in just the 4th percentile.

Oweh is a two-way player with two years of eligibility remaining, while he will bring experience, there is still room for development with NBA upside. While he may not be a primary option, he’s certainly a player that can impact the game.

Oweh is now Kentucky’s third addition from the transfer portal and sixth player overall. A handful of top transfers are visiting, or currently visiting, Kentucky this weekend. The staff is hopeful a few join the roster.

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BB Recruiting

REPORT: San Diego State Transfer Lamont Butler Commits to Kentucky

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San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler has committed to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Amidst anxiety from many of the Big Blue Nation, the Kentucky basketball program has added another player to the roster. On Friday Lamont Butler, a consensus top-60 transfer from San Diego State, committed to Kentucky, reported by On3.

Kentucky has been in contact with Butler since he entered the portal earlier this week. On Friday morning, four members of the Kentucky staff took a visit to Las Vegas, which we know now was to see Butler. It was enough to secure his commitment.

Coming out of a high school as a three-star prospect, Butler has been a true case of development. In four seasons with San Diego State, he improved his numbers year after year. As a three-year starter for the Aztecs, Butler averaged 7.7 points (41.2% FG), 2.6 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. He also received Mountain West All-Defense honors three straight seasons, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award this past year.

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Butler was a star for the San Diego State team that made it to the National Championship game in 2023, even hitting the buzzer-beater to send them to the title game. He will provide Kentucky with proven experience and the knowledge of what it takes to win.

As his defensive accolades show, Butler makes his biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball. However, he plays well within a system and is a really good passer for a guard who plays primarily off the ball, with a 21 percent assist rate. He also grades fairly well analytically on spot-up shots and in pick-and-roll situations as the ball handler.

With Butler on the roster, there are still many spots to fill, especially some spots for “dudes”. Fortunately, many big names are expected to be in Lexington this weekend for the visit.

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