CJ Fredrick's uncle says Iowa is being "childish" about transfer decision: "No school ever tampered"

From the minute news broke late Sunday evening that Iowa sharpshooter CJ Fredrick was leaving the program and entering the transfer portal, Hawkeye fans took to social media to not only berate him for his decision, but accuse the Kentucky coaching staff of tampering.

A simple search of Fredrick’s name on Twitter comes up with some, er, interesting results.

Even the official Iowa compliance department got snarky following the decision, sending out a not-so-subtle tweet about avoiding contact with players before they’ve officially entered the transfer portal.

A good reminder that a prospective DI or DII transfer needs to be entered into the transfer portal before any contact or communication occurs. #NCAAEd https://t.co/3tr8GCBDXv

— Hawkeye Compliance (@UIowaCompliance) April 20, 2021

The jabs come after months of speculation that Fredrick was considering a transfer this offseason and that Kentucky would be at or near the top of his list if he ultimately decided to leave the program. With rumors and rumblings connecting Fredrick with UK growing louder and louder, and then the 6-foot-3 guard finally entering the portal this offseason, Kentucky had to have tampered with him ahead of time, right? There’s no way a former Covington Catholic standout and 2018 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year would want to return closer to home – he’s originally from Cincinnati, OH – and play for a Hall of Fame coach and historic program like Kentucky for the final three years of his college basketball career, right?

And more importantly, the Iowa compliance department wouldn’t indirectly accuse Kentucky of tampering without any real evidence to back up their claims, right? Seems like that’d be fairly unprofessional and downright childish.

Interestingly enough, the standout transfer’s uncle, Joe Fredrick, took to social media to call the Iowa basketball program’s actions exactly that, “childish.”

Fredrick, who played at Notre Dame under head coach Digger Phelps and assistant coach Fran McCaffery – who is now the head coach at Iowa, mind you – made it clear that “no school ever tampered with CJ” leading up to his decision to enter the portal and also added that the program was being “childish” with their handling of the standout guard’s departure.

“I want to thank you (everyone) for texting regarding CJ entering the portal,” Fredrick said in a Facebook post. “I want you, my friends, to know (there) has been a lot said about many things but I want to clear up 100 percent no school ever tampered with CJ while he was at Iowa. I had clear communication with the staff at Iowa over rumors and how they were started. I also was clear about concerns throughout the season.

“Bottom line is we won’t stoop to the level Iowa has shown CJ as he made a decision for himself. Their NCAA compliance tweets (are) childish, their running CJ through the mud on social media childish, their press release childish.”

Upon entering the portal, the rising junior guard released a statement thanking the Iowa program, coaching staff, his teammates and the fanbase for embracing him throughout his time as a Hawkeye.

“After talking with Coach McCaffery and with the statement released this morning from the University of Iowa, I have entered my name into the transfer portal,” Fredrick announced. “I have come to the difficult decision to participate in this process. Thank you Coach McCaffery and the entire basketball staff, all my teammates, and to Hawkeye Nation for giving me a chance. I gave you my best and appreciate you letting me be a part of Hawkeye Nation!”

Iowa’s official statement on Fredrick’s departure after 52 career games and 459 total points? A simple roster update.

Roster update pic.twitter.com/lKwCQxdD3Z

— Iowa Basketball (@IowaHoops) April 19, 2021

Chris Fisher of 247Sports was the first to report that Kentucky had officially made contact with Fredrick after entering the portal, with KSR since confirming that news.

Fredrick started 27 games for Iowa this past season and finished the year averaging 7.5 points per game on 47.4% shooting overall and 47.4% shooting from three. As a freshman in 2019-20, the 6-foot-3 guard averaged 10.2 points per contest and shot 46.1% from three on over four attempts per game.