Former Kentucky pledge Skyy Clark commits to Louisville

Former commitment turned rival, Skyy Clark is a Louisville Cardinal.

Coming off a visit with Kenny Payne this week, the Illinois guard transfer made it official, committing to UofL on Thursday — his top priority since entering the portal on Monday. It was his only scheduled visit and one of the few schools Clark expressed serious interest in from the start.

Now, it’s official.

“Coach KP! From the time I stepped on campus, coach Kenny made it clear that he and rest of staff are here to support my dreams!” the former four-star guard told On3.

Sources told KSR leading up to the visit that the process was expected to wrap up quickly with serious mutual interest between Louisville and Clark. Payne rolled out the red carpet for the 6-foot-3 guard, and as expected, a commitment followed.

Clark signed with Illinois out of high school, averaging 7.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 13 games before leaving the program due to personal matters.

“Skyy has made the decision to take some time away from basketball,” Illinois head coach Brad Underwood said in a statement back in January. “He remains a valued part of our program and will continue to receive our full support. Skyy is a thoughtful, caring young man who right now needs to prioritize himself and his family. This is bigger than basketball. We understand that and stand with him every step of the way.”

Clark was rated as the No. 37 overall prospect and No. 4 point guard in the 2022 On3 Industry Ranking, signing with Illinois over Louisville, Tennessee, USC, Maryland and Washington. He was first committed to Kentucky, announcing his pledge back on October 22, 2020 before parting ways with the program on March 6, 2022. Prior to his commitment to UK, he held previous offers from UCLA, Kansas, Tennessee, USC, Ohio State, Michigan, Auburn, North Carolina, Indiana, Florida State, Texas Tech, Vanderbilt and Arizona, among others.

Now, he’s a Cardinal, the start of Payne’s rebuild of a roster that was widely considered the most poorly constructed in all of college basketball. Four Cardinals have already announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal in Kamari Lands, Devin Ree, Fabio Basili and Sydney Curry. Sources tell KSR as many as nine scholarship players could be out in Louisville, a complete and much-needed overhaul this offseason in anticipation of a make-or-break year for the former Kentucky assistant coach.

7-foot-1 center Dennis Evans, a four-star senior prospect with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, announced his commitment to the program on Sunday. He’s considered arguably the top shot-blocking talent in all of high school basketball. Four-star forward Trentyn Flowers is also expected to reclassify to the class of 2023 with Louisville seen as the anticipated choice when he announces his commitment on Friday at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Skyy Clark, friend turned foe.