Kentucky contacts Jeremy Roach, several other high-profile transfers

Kentucky will reportedly be one of many teams looking to bring on former Duke guard Jeremy Roach this offseason. Roach announced Tuesday that he will enter the transfer portal as well as the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility.

Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio tweeted that the Wildcats “will be involved” in trying to bring Roach to Lexington and has already been in contact with him. He will have until June 12 to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft so that he can return to college.

This past season, Roach was voted team captain for the second straight year and played in 35 of Duke’s 36 games. He averaged 14.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 42.9% from 3-point range.

In his four seasons with the Blue Devils, Roach amassed 1,469 points, 314 rebounds and 402 assists. The 6-foot-2 senior owns a career 1.74 assist-turnover ratio, including a 1.95 mark as a sophomore in helping guide Duke to the Final Four.

The former McDonald’s All-American was one of the most coveted players coming out of Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Virginia in 2020. He ranked as the No. 22 overall player and No. 6 point guard in the cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Roach isn’t the only big-name transfer whom UK has contacted so far. The Wildcats are also reportedly in touch with the following players: Dayton guard Koby Brea, Oklahoma guard Otega Oweh, Stanford forward Andrej Stojakovic, Drexel forward Amari Williams, BYU center Aly Khalifa and Oklahoma State guard Javon Small.

Williams, the three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year, is scheduled to take an official visit to Kentucky this weekend. Khalifa has reportedly cut his list down to three teams already, including the Wildcats.

Kentucky is coming off of a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament and recently hired Wildcats alum Mark Pope to replace John Calipari as coach. The Wildcats have already had five players enter the transfer portal since then, so it’s safe to say they’ll be looking to add some entering this new era.

They’re sure to have plenty of competition for these highly coveted players, and some other programs have already begun their recruiting pitches as well.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.