VCU transfer Marcus Santos-Silva commits to Texas Tech

Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images

A high-profile transfer option who was once linked to Kentucky is officially off the board.

This afternoon, VCU transfer Marcus Santos-Silva announced his commitment to Texas Tech, choosing the Red Raiders over Arizona State, Georgia, Maryland, Ole Miss, and Penn State.

https://twitter.com/Marcus7345/status/1255550991816101888?s=20

Last season at VCU, Santos-Silva was the team’s leading scorer, rebounder, and shot-blocker, averaging 12.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game last season while shooting 56.9% from the field.

Not long after Santos-Silva announced he would be entering the transfer portal and leaving the VCU program, Kentucky signee Terrence Clarke took to Instagram to express his interest in the Boston, MA native, telling the Big Blue Nation to “show him love” and to “get him [to Lexington].”

Despite the need in the frontcourt and interest from at least one future Wildcat, Kentucky never reached out to the 6-foot-7 forward. Instead, Arizona State, Georgia, Connecticut, Siena, Miami, Illinois, Seton Hall, Washington State, and Virginia Tech were among the first schools to reach out, followed by Texas Tech, Penn State, Purdue, Ole Miss, Maryland, Providence, Boston College, Tulsa, Arkansas, WKU, Marquette, and Wake Forest in the time after.

Kentucky would have likely been interested in the VCU standout, but the general consensus in recruiting circles was that Santos-Silva had his favorite schools picked out – Arizona State and Texas Tech being the co-favorites – and it would be difficult for other schools to make up ground and realistically have a chance at earning his commitment

Instead, the UK coaching staff continues to search for options to close out the frontcourt.