UNLV grad transfer Amauri Hardy - brother of major UK target Jaden Hardy - is hearing from Kentucky

Is Kentucky pushing for a two-for-one on the transfer market and recruiting trail?

According to numerous media reports, including ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, and Stadium’s Jeff Goodman, Kentucky has reached out to UNLV graduate transfer and star guard Amauri Hardy.

Hardy, a 6-foot-2 guard originally out of Detroit, MI, was the second-leading scorer on UNLV last season, averaging a career-high 14.5 points and 3.3 assists per game. He also shot 33.3% from three on the year and scored at least 20 points on six occasions. Despite only being a junior, Hardy is expected to be a graduate transfer, giving him immediate eligibility next season.

Kentucky joins the likes of Michigan State, Oregon, Arizona, Arizona State, Memphis, Arkansas, Maryland, Seton Hall, Missouri, Cincinnati, Butler, Marquette, Washington, Wake Forest, and TCU to reach out to the now-former Runnin’ Rebel.

Out of high school, Hardy was considered a three-star prospect and top-250 recruit overall in the class of 2017, holding offers from the likes of UNLV, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, and Oklahoma State, among others.

So what makes this contact so interesting? Outside of roster implications next season – adding a 14.5 PPG scorer would be an obvious positive – the UNLV grad transfer is actually 2021 five-star guard Jaden Hardy’s brother.

Hardy, a consensus top-ten prospect in the junior class, is considered a massive Kentucky lean and could be one of UK’s first commitments for the class of 2021 in the coming months.

Would a pledge from the UNLV graduate transfer secure a commitment from his five-star younger brother?

‘Package deals’ rarely come to fruition, but one should assume this would change things quite a bit…

Get familiar with the Hardy brothers below:

He is UNGUARDABLE???@Amauri_Hardy showed that he is a complete 3 level scorer! Knock down 3pt shooter, midrange assassin, & a force attacking the rim! @UNLVathletics @TheRunninRebels pic.twitter.com/50yRQH8mHW

— BALL DAWGS (@balldawgs) March 20, 2020

Come on down (x2)…