Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Final Four Transfer Visits UK
With Hunter Dickinson heading to Lawrence to play for Bill Self at Kansas, Kentucky is still looking to add to their front court, and they may have found their man in San Diego State transfer Keshad Johnson.
Johnson, a 6-7, 210-pound big man, spent the last four seasons at SDSU and averaged just under eight points along with five rebounds per game in his senior season. While he started 71 games at San Diego State, he would likely come off the bench at Kentucky behind Ugonna Onyenso and Aaron Bradshaw.
Keshad Johnson’s visit to Kentucky went really well.
Last night, I was told that UK is in a good position to get a commitment.
Johnson may not have the ceiling of Livingston, but he is a strong and versatile veteran. Can defend at a high level and efficient around the rim. pic.twitter.com/O1QUijdJ8F
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) May 12, 2023
The former Aztec just visited Kentucky this week and by all accounts, the visit went tremendously well. Coach John Calipari has put the program in a good position to earn a commitment from Johnson.
Keshad Johnson plans on committing on May 20. He is down to Arizona, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and USC. Johnson potentially committing to Kentucky should tell fans where the staff believes the minds of Oscar Tshiebwe and Chris Livingston are regarding a return to Lexington.
San Diego State transfer Keshad Johnson plans to make his college announcement next weekend, source tells KSR
On his way home from Lexington now. Down to Arizona, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Texas Tech and USC.
Graduating on Sunday, commitment expected the following Saturday, May 20
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) May 12, 2023
Transfer Deadline Passes
Thursday marked the deadline for players to transfer with immediate eligibility for the 2023-24 season. For Kentucky, this impacts forward Chris Livingston, who entered his name in the NBA Draft while retaining his eligibility. Rumors have been swirling about Livingston and a potential transfer, but that seems to be a moot point now.
On the eve of the transfer portal closing, don’t think Chris Livingston will be one of the big fish to jump in it. Think it’s NBA (most likely) or UK for him.
If Oscar Tshiebwe doesn’t stay in the draft, he will (does?) have plenty of programs back-channeling with NIL pitches.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) May 10, 2023
It is now NBA or Kentucky for Livingston, Oscar Tshiebwe and Antonio Reeves. They have until midnight on May 31 to make their decisions.
Kentucky Reaches Out to Multiple Players in Portal
Should Kentucky earn a commitment from Keshad Johnson, and Antonio Reeves exits the NBA Draft and returns to Kentucky as expected, Kentucky could, for the most part, have their rotation set.
However, there are more scholarships available and there are scenarios in which Johnson and Reeves aren’t in blue next season, so Calipari needs to continue to reach out to other potential transfers, and that is exactly what he did.
Isaiah Miranda, a seven-footer from NC State, entered the portal and Kentucky has reached out to him via reports. Kentucky will likely lose Oscar Tshiebwe, Lance Ware, and Daimion Collins this offseason. Even with Aaron Bradshaw, Ugonna Onyenso, and Keshad Johnson, there is room for more developmental depth and that is what Miranda would be.
NC State transfer Isaiah Miranda, a former Top50 recruit, has heard from the following schools, a source tells @247SportsPortal:
Villanova
Florida State
Oklahoma State
UCF
Nevada
San Jose State
Georgetown
McNeese State
High Point
Kentucky
St. John’s
LSU— Travis Branham (@TravisBranham_) May 11, 2023
Kentucky also reached out to Kentucky native and former Marshall guard Andrew Taylor. This seems like a break glass in case of emergency option in the unlikely scenario that Antonio Reeves remains in the NBA Draft.
Marshall transfer Andrew Taylor tells me that he's receiving interest from the following programs:
Mississipi State
Indiana
Ole Miss
Auburn
Utah
Michigan
Kentucky
Florida
Richmond
Kansas State
Pitt
Miami
BC
Xavier
LSU
Florida State
Wichita State
UCF
Memphis
Louisville— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 11, 2023
Taylor averaged over 20 points on 36.4% from three a season ago. If Reeves were to leave Kentucky, Andrew Taylor would be a quality replacement with sentimental value for the home state faithful.
