Kentucky grad transfer target Kerry Blackshear pulls name out of NBA draft

LEXINGTON - Maybe John Calipari is not finished adding to his 2019-20 Kentucky basketball roster just yet.

Virginia Tech forward Kerry Blackshear has removed his name from the NBA draft pool and will return to college. Blackshear, who is eligible to play immediately at another program next season as a graduate transfer, placed his name in the transfer portal in April while testing the draft waters. According to multiple reports, Kentucky coach John Calipari met with Blackshear and his family shortly after that move.

"After taking the time to weigh my options, I have decided to withdraw my name from the NBA Draft," Blackshear wrote in an Instagram post. "I am still evaluating my options for my last year of eligibility and feel extremely fortunate to be in the position that I am in. I look forward to continuing my education and earning a Master’s degree while competing in the sport that I love as I continue working toward my goal of playing professionally."

As a fourth-year junior, the 6-foot-10 Blackshear averaged 14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for Virginia Tech last season. He tallied nine double-doubles, including two against Duke and one against Virginia. In the Hokies' NCAA Tournament loss to Duke, Blackshear totaled 18 points and 16 rebounds.

Blackshear would make almost any team he joined next season better instantly, but Kentucky faces stiff competition for his services if Calipari continues to push for his commitment even after forwards EJ Montgomery and Nick Richards announced they were removing their names from the NBA draft to return to UK.

Texas A&M, where Blackshear's former Virginia Tech coach Buzz Williams now works, and Florida, the home-state program of the Orlando native, are believed to be other leading candidates for his services. While Blackshear would likely start at Kentucky next season as well, neither of the other contenders have two former five-star recruits competing for minutes in its front court. Kentucky also signed 6-foot-9 Bucknell graduate transfer Nate Sestina earlier this spring, giving the Wildcats three post players on the 2019-20 roster.

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Before Montgomery announced he was returning to school Wednesday, Calipari hinted to reporters at the SEC Meetings in Florida the sophomore forward would be needed to carry a much larger role than he did as a freshman, perhaps signaling further additions to the roster are unlikely.

"Guys are going be forced to play minutes," Calipari said. "Like, if EJ comes back, I’m like, ‘Are you ready to play 30 minutes a game? Are you ready to be that guy that PJ (Washington) was a year ago?’"
[Post edited by YBYSAIAHokie at 05/30/2019 6:18PM]