NCAA Basketball: Will Kerry Blackshear transfer to Kentucky or Tennessee?

With the recruiting season all but over and most rosters finalized, one of the biggest impact players in the transfer portal has his eyes on a pair of SEC schools.

Most college programs have their basketball rosters locked in for the upcoming season, but smart schools leave a scholarship open in case an opportunity presents itself to add an impact player. One of the most dynamic players left without a program for the upcoming season is former Virginia Tech star Kerry Blackshear Jr, who is immediately eligible as a grad transfer.

After exploring his options in the NBA Draft, Blackshear pulled his name from consideration to focus on another year in college. Blackshear is still exploring his options but does have a pair of visits lined up with SEC powerhouses.

The one that is confirmed is a trip to Tennessee on June 14, but Blackshear is also planning a trip to Lexington to check out how he may fit at Kentucky. The possibilities are very intriguing here, but it is worth noting that Blackshear has already visited Florida and Arkansas, with a return to Virginia Tech still a possibility.

Blackshear, who averaged 14.9 ppg and 7.5 rpg for the Hokies last season, is the biggest difference maker left without a school at this point. Any team that can land Blackshear would get an impact player down low who can offer veteran leadership, which can be critical come tournament time.

Of the teams listed above, the team that needs Blackshear the most would be Tennessee, which lost its top three scorers from last year’s squad that pushed for an SEC title. Adding Blackshear would give the Volunteers a proven scorer and leader to help guide some of the younger players.

The most intriguing fit for Blackshear could be Kentucky, which has a loaded roster blended with returning sophomores, incoming elite freshmen, and a grad transfer in Bucknell’s Nick Sestina. Wildcats’ coach John Calipari also has a tremendous track record of producing future pros, something that could be weighing on Blackshear’s decision-making process after he seriously flirted with the NBA this year.