Kentucky walk-on Walker Horn is officially in the transfer portal

First, it was Grant Darbyshire exploring his transfer options on the final day of the portal. Now, Walker Horn has decided to do the same after three seasons at Kentucky.

On3’s Pete Nakos was the first to break the news.

Horn, the son of Northern Kentucky coach Darrin Horn, saw action in 13 games for the Wildcats across three seasons in Lexington. He played in four games in 2022-23 (South Carolina State, Howard, North Florida and Auburn), four games in 2023-24 (New Mexico State, Marshall, Louisville and Illinois State) and five games in 2024-25 (Wright State, Jackson State, Brown, LSU and Troy).

While he didn’t manage to score in three seasons in blue and white, he did rack up two assists, one rebound and four turnovers in 16 total minutes.

The rising senior initially chose Kentucky over opportunities at Marquette and Michigan State. He started his high school career at Covington Catholic in Kentucky before finishing his career at Westlake High School in Austin, TX, averaging 9.3 points, 5.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds as a senior.

Now, the 6-3 guard is in the portal ahead of his final season of eligibility.

The departures of Horn and Darbyshire come as we wait for clarity on the House Settlement from US District Court Senior Judge Claudia Wilken, which will change how schools and the NCAA handle name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. If approved, the settlement will impose roster limits on all sports, which could eliminate spots set aside for walk-ons. The proposed limit for basketball is 15 scholarship players per team. Kentucky had 12 scholarship players and three walk-ons this past season with Horn and Darbyshire joining Zach Tow in the latter category.

The portal is set to close at 11:59 p.m. ET, meaning all players wishing to explore their transfer options this offseason must have their paperwork in by today. Those already in the portal by tonight’s deadline will be able to commit at any time.

Kentucky Basketball 2025-26 Roster Tracker

COMMITS (6)

• Kam Williams – G – Tulane – 9.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.3 APG, 48.5% FG, 41.2% 3PT | Committed 3/28
• Jaland Lowe – G – Pittsburgh – 16.8 PPG, 5.5 APG, 4.2 RPG, 37.6% FG, 26.6% 3PT | Committed 4/5
• Mouhamed Dioubate – F – Alabama – 7.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 61.7% FG, 46.2% 3PT | Committed 4/7
• Jayden Quaintance – F – Arizona State – 9.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.6 BPG, 52.5 FG% | Committed 4/8
• Andrija Jelavic – C – Mega Basket — 10.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.4 APG, 50.3% FG, 32.3% 3PT | – Committed 4/12
• Denzel Aberdeen – G – Florida – 7.7 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 41.8 FG%, 35 3PT% | Committed 4/21

RETURNING / INCOMING (7)

• Otega Oweh – G – Rising Senior – 16.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 49.2% FG, 35.5% 3PT | Going through NBA Draft process
• Brandon Garrison – C – Rising Junior – 5.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 50.9% | Confirmed return on 4/12
• Collin Chandler – C- Rising Sophomore – 2.7 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 0.7 APG, 36.1% FG, 34.7% 3PT | Confirmed return on 4/17
• Travis Perry – PG – Rising Sophomore – 2.7 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 0.6 APG, 31.3% FG, 32.1% 3PT
• Trent Noah – F – Rising Sophomore – 2.7 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.4 APG, 45.1% FG, 33.3% 3PT | Confirmed return on 4/18
• Malachi Moreno – C – Incoming Freshman – Great Crossing (Georgetown, KY)
• Jasper Johnson – SG – Incoming Freshman – Overtime Elite (Lexington, KY)