WKU star transfer Jamarion Sharp commits to Ole Miss

Western Kentucky v Kentucky — LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - DECEMBER 22: Jamarion Sharp #33 of Western Kentucky Hilltoppers dunks the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena on December 22, 2021 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Remember when Kentucky had conversations with shot-blocking sensation Jamarion Sharp, who hit the transfer portal back on March 29 after spending two seasons at Western Kentucky? Those talks were brief before the Wildcats quickly shifted back to Ugonna Onyenso‘s return to Lexington after the freshman center entered the portal himself.

Fast forward one month and Sharp has now found his next home — an SEC home. The 7-foot-5, 235-pound center has committed to Ole Miss, announcing his decision Thursday afternoon.

It will be his final season of eligibility.

“After taking time I have considered to play my last year at Ole Miss,” Sharp said.

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Averaging 7.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.1 rebounds this past season for the Hilltoppers, Sharp has led the NCAA in blocks per contest each of the last two years. The back-to-back Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year previously swatted 4.6 shots per game in 2021-22. Finishing with 131 rejections this past season, the former WKU standout had 10 games of at least six blocks, including a season-high eight in November.

According to On3’s 2023 Transfer Portal Rankings, Sharp is rated No. 68 overall and the No. 11 center.

Hearing from the likes of Arkansas, Missouri, Florida, Florida State, Nebraska, LSU, UNLV, Memphis, Wake Forest, Gonzaga, NC State, and Cincinnati, Sharp has chosen the Rebels, playing for new head coach Chris Beard in his final year of college basketball.

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Ole Miss finished the 2022-23 season with an overall record of 12-21, good for 13th in the SEC. The school ultimately parted ways with coach Kermit Davis before hiring Beard.

The Rebels also signed Arizona State transfer Austin Nunez and Georgetown transfer Brandon Murray, among other additions this offseason.

Whether it’s Hunter Dickinson or Oscar Tshiebwe, Kentucky’s starting center in 2023-24 will be facing the nation’s leading shot-blocker at some point next season. And it’ll be a familiar face.