2025 Transfer Portal Thread

[CornbreadVol]

Nothing against him … good shooter but we need more athleticism that spot

Wouldn’t hate it if he was the 3rd add

 

[CatFan4Life!]

Guys, I really think you are underestimating how smart it would be to pick up Travis Perry. My logic:

1. TP will not expect to start this season. He will want some minutes, of course, but won't get in the way of your starting 2. You guys are on the hunt for a starting 2 and this DOES NOT AFFECT that search -- at all. So this is in addition to, and above and beyond, what you're already doing. Think of it like a "bonus".

2. TP is an excellent, almost elite, spot-up 3 point shooter. It doesn't show up last year as much for a litany of reasons already discussed in this thread. But in the right environment he will be a 40-45% 3PT shooter and could get in that upper echelon of 45-50% as an upperclassmen. These are spot-ups, mind you, or flare screens/curl screens.

3. While not a pure PG, he can handle the ball and run the offense if needed. So this is extra PG depth. You might not need it, but if you ever do need it due to injuries or foul trouble, it makes a BIG difference. Source: 2024-2025 Kentucky Wildcats, where we lost 3 options at PG before having to turn to Perry. He kept us afloat. It's sort of like having a WR on the roster that can play QB if needed--- it isn't ideal and he isn't going to win you a national title throughout the season, but if you need a QB in a pinch, it's a lot better than not having one at all.

4. His biggest issues are twofold: creating his own shot and defense. The first one? No big deal. It's just not in his big, at least not yet. Will probably get better in year 3 and 4. But there are plenty of good college balls that serve as spot up or screen shooters and just don't create on their own. The key is pairing them with guys who do (Gillespie, Ament, etc.)

5. I've seen a number of folks say Perry is a terrible match with Barnes because he didn't play good defense this season. Folks, I think the exact opposite way. Tennessee under Rick Barnes plays some of the best individual and team defense I've ever seen. Do you think all of those players were the best defenders nationally before Barnes scooped them up? Not always. Your staff does an incredible job of teaching defense. I love Mark Pope and I'm incredibly bullish on the future of our program under him, but the one thing he hasn't been known for is coaching good defensive teams. That's probably what I am most curious about this upcoming season since he will also have a much more athletic, defensive-minded personnel than he's ever had before. Was it the personnel? Or was it the coaching? Anyways, Perry this year played on an unathletic, offensive-minded team that lacked a good defensive scheme. He didn't have rim protection (Okpara, etc) to help him if he got beat off the dribble. And due to injuries, he was often guarding the other team's quickest guard-- let's face it, that was some elite talent this past year that cooked a lot of players, not just Perry (Walter Clayton, ZZ, Fears, Pettiford, Sears/Philbon, Fland/Wagner, Hubbard, Pedulla, Tre Johnson, Wade Taylor). I think pairing someone like him who has the most upside on the defensive side, with a defensive-minded coach, creates the biggest runway for growth in his game. He can already shoot it.

6. He is an incredible teammate, hard worker, and selfless. He contributes to the culture, which is hard to measure but has been very important to your program's success under Barnes.

That's my case for Travis Perry to UT.

 

[ToddKirk87]

VN board for weeks: “We need more shooting”

VN board today: “NOOOO PERRY”

Y’all….he wouldn’t come in to play 30 minutes a game. Even 20. What’s wrong with having a guy come off the bench to be a shooting spark? Even if his defense lacks, you surround him with Ament (lengthy), Carey (good defender), and Okpara (elite defender) and you can’t honestly say it wouldn’t be nice to give a shooter 10-15 minutes a game off bench.

 

[Derek Reese's jumpshot]

Guys, I really think you are underestimating how smart it would be to pick up Travis Perry. My logic:

1. TP will not expect to start this season. He will want some minutes, of course, but won't get in the way of your starting 2. You guys are on the hunt for a starting 2 and this DOES NOT AFFECT that search -- at all. So this is in addition to, and above and beyond, what you're already doing. Think of it like a "bonus".

2. TP is an excellent, almost elite, spot-up 3 point shooter. It doesn't show up last year as much for a litany of reasons already discussed in this thread. But in the right environment he will be a 40-45% 3PT shooter and could get in that upper echelon of 45-50% as an upperclassmen. These are spot-ups, mind you, or flare screens/curl screens.

3. While not a pure PG, he can handle the ball and run the offense if needed. So this is extra PG depth. You might not need it, but if you ever do need it due to injuries or foul trouble, it makes a BIG difference. Source: 2023-2024 of the Kentucky Wildcats, where we lost 3 options at PG before having to turn to Perry. He kept us afloat. It's sort of like having a WR on the roster that can play QB if needed--- it isn't ideal and he isn't going to win you a national title throughout the season, but if you need a QB in a pinch, it's a lot better than not having one at all.

4. His biggest issues are twofold: creating his own shot and defense. The first one? No big deal. It's just not in his big, at least not yet. Will probably get better in year 3 and 4. But there are plenty of good college balls that serve as spot up or screen shooters and just don't create on their own. The key is pairing them with guys who do (Gillespie, Ament, etc.)

5. I've seen a number of folks say Perry is a terrible match with Barnes because he didn't play good defense this season. Folks, I think the exact opposite way. Tennessee under Rick Barnes plays some of the best individual and team defense I've ever seen. Do you think all of those players were the best defenders nationally before Barnes scooped them up? Not always. Your staff does an incredible job of teaching defense. I love Mark Pope and I'm incredibly bullish on the future of our program under him, but the one thing he hasn't been known for is coaching good defensive teams. That's probably what I am most curious about this upcoming season since he will also have a much more athletic, defensive-minded personnel than he's ever had before. Was it the personnel? Or was it the coaching? Anyways, Perry this year played on an unathletic, offensive-minded team that lacked a good defensive scheme. He didn't have rim protection (Okpara, etc) to help him if he got beat off the dribble. And due to injuries, he was often guarding the other team's quickest guard-- let's face it, that was some elite talent this past year that cooked a lot of players, not just Perry (Walter Clayton, ZZ, Fears, Pettiford, Sears/Philbon, Fland/Wagner, Hubbard, Pedulla, Tre Johnson, Wade Taylor). I think pairing someone like him who has the most upside on the defensive side, with a defensive-minded coach, creates the biggest runway for growth in his game. He can already shoot it.

6. He is an incredible teammate, hard worker, and selfless. He contributes to the culture, which is hard to measure but has been very important to your program's success under Barnes.

That's my case for Travis Perry to UT.

Rival fans giving a hard sell to take one of their players is not encouraging.

 

[wtmvol]

VN board for weeks: “We need more shooting”

VN board today: “NOOOO PERRY”

Y’all….he wouldn’t come in to play 30 minutes a game. Even 20. What’s wrong with having a guy come off the bench to be a shooting spark? Even if his defense lacks, you surround him with Ament (lengthy), Carey (good defender), and Okpara (elite defender) and you can’t honestly say it wouldn’t be nice to give a shooter 10-15 minutes a game off bench.

I don't think many of us have any angst about Perry as a depth piece. The angst is over finding a starting SG, because I don't want to go into the season where either Perry, Evans, or Boswell are going to be starting from day 1.

 

[omghulkhands]

I don't think many of us have any angst about Perry as a depth piece. The angst is over finding a starting SG, because I don't want to go into the season where either Perry, Evans, or Boswell are going to be starting from day 1.

The odd thing is, why would he leave UK to be a depth piece here?

I mean, I suppose it is possible he would get 0 minutes at UK this year and he is hoping to get 5-10 here.

It's hard to imagine there being mutual interest between him and us unless the expectation is that he is gonna play beyond just end of bench depth.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Odd. That’s a lateral move for him. If he was gonna leave UK, I assumed it’d be to go down a level of competition.

He’s apparently getting solid HM interest, he was gonna be covered up at UK and probably see minimal minutes, my guess is he’s trying to find HM where he’d have a role

 

[ToddKirk87]

I don't think many of us have any angst about Perry as a depth piece. The angst is over finding a starting SG, because I don't want to go into the season where either Perry, Evans, or Boswell are going to be starting from day 1.

Adams, Perry, Evans, Boswell rotation. Give them each 10 minutes until someone separates lol.

 

[Legion of Doom]

Perry as 6th man is solid. Very young player with great upside. Cats fans are right on this kid. Their roster is just full.

 

[Willy14]

He’s apparently getting solid HM interest, he was gonna be covered up at UK and probably see minimal minutes, my guess is he’s trying to find HM where he’d have a role

If we got Adams as the starting 2 and then Perry/Boswell split the minutes as the backup 2 I wouldn’t be upset with that at all

 

[VolsNetClippers2025]

I really wouldn't mind Adams + Perry.

 

[joevols89]

The odd thing is, why would he leave UK to be a depth piece here?

I mean, I suppose it is possible he would get 0 minutes at UK this year and he is hoping to get 5-10 here.

It's hard to imagine there being mutual interest between him and us unless the expectation is that he is gonna play beyond just end of bench depth.

He was going to get 0-3 minutes at UK this year unless Oweh stayed in the draft. He could probably get 15-18 here.

 

[Chaz-Vol]

Best case scenario for what's left is get Adams and Perry. Last spot for either Gainey or Felix' brother.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

If we got Adams as the starting 2 and then Perry/Boswell split the minutes as the backup 2 I wouldn’t be upset with that at all

Much like I said about Tyson, if he’s your 3rd add, or 2nd with a stud it’s fine, but he can’t be your top add from here on imo

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Best case scenario for what's left is get Adams and Perry. Last spot for either Gainey or Felix' brother.

I think the thought is that scholarships will be 15 this year, Kennedy & Grant Hurst likely get 14/15, so we should have 3 spots open.

 

[bleedingTNorange]

Here’s the remaining names from the list updated with Perry added, Chaikin, Tyson & Perry are the only 3 right now I can confidently say we’ve had more than just an initial contact with…

Alex Chaikin
Travis Perry
Cade Tyson
Rylan Griffin
Kennard Davis
John Buggs lll
Camron McDowell
Cooper Noard
Rashaun Agee
Jayden Stone
Rakease Passmore

 

[cncchris33]

Odd. That’s a lateral move for him. If he was gonna leave UK, I assumed it’d be to go down a level of competition.

More likely that he believes he can play at this level but isn't a fit for Pope's system, which based on how Pope attempted to deploy him, is a safe assumption. Rick Barnes wouldn't ask him to play PG or guard opposing PGs, but also can teach him defensive principles to maximize his ability on that end of the floor. If he can transform Vescovi's defense, he can do the same for Perry if Perry puts in the work and has a desire to get better on that end. Additionally, the shooting ability is there for him, just not in the framework of what Pope was asking him to do in that offense.

Frankly, Pope may have known all along that Perry wasn't much of a fit, but the optics of cutting loose the all-time leading scorer in KY high school history for a first year head coach who hadn't yet coached his first game, and wasn't their first, second or third choice just wouldn't be a great look in this state.

 

[cncchris33]

Nothing against him … good shooter but we need more athleticism that spot

I don't think anyone is on board with the idea of him being our primary target at SG. More are likely to entertain the idea of him being our final piece that can give you a lift off the bench as a spot-up shooter and perhaps grow into the position down the road, perhaps as a 6th man Gainey role in year 2 or 3.

 

[wtmvol]

Here’s the remaining names from the list updated with Perry added, Chaikin, Tyson & Perry are the only 3 right now I can confidently say we’ve had more than just an initial contact with…

Alex Chaikin
Travis Perry
Cade Tyson
Rylan Griffin
Kennard Davis
John Buggs lll
Camron McDowell
Cooper Noard
Rashaun Agee
Jayden Stone
Rakease Passmore

I feel like I'm the leader of the Chaikin fan club. Been begging for us to get him for weeks. Get him and Adams and call it a day.

 

[CAVPUT]

Best case scenario for what's left is get Adams and Perry. Last spot for either Gainey or Felix' brother.

Seems like Perry could be a backup for both the 1 or 2 spot? Not sure how well his "spot up" shooting will work in this league. Maybe my memories of Vescovi in the later part of his time here are still fresh? Shouldn't worry whomever we've targeted for the 2 spot I guess. Gonna trust Barnes has a plan.

 

[LittleCat]

I know Travis, and I have a good feeling he doesn’t end up in the sec next year.

 

[cncchris33]

Guys, I really think you are underestimating how smart it would be to pick up Travis Perry. My logic:

1. TP will not expect to start this season. He will want some minutes, of course, but won't get in the way of your starting 2. You guys are on the hunt for a starting 2 and this DOES NOT AFFECT that search -- at all. So this is in addition to, and above and beyond, what you're already doing. Think of it like a "bonus".

2. TP is an excellent, almost elite, spot-up 3 point shooter. It doesn't show up last year as much for a litany of reasons already discussed in this thread. But in the right environment he will be a 40-45% 3PT shooter and could get in that upper echelon of 45-50% as an upperclassmen. These are spot-ups, mind you, or flare screens/curl screens.

3. While not a pure PG, he can handle the ball and run the offense if needed. So this is extra PG depth. You might not need it, but if you ever do need it due to injuries or foul trouble, it makes a BIG difference. Source: 2023-2024 of the Kentucky Wildcats, where we lost 3 options at PG before having to turn to Perry. He kept us afloat. It's sort of like having a WR on the roster that can play QB if needed--- it isn't ideal and he isn't going to win you a national title throughout the season, but if you need a QB in a pinch, it's a lot better than not having one at all.

4. His biggest issues are twofold: creating his own shot and defense. The first one? No big deal. It's just not in his big, at least not yet. Will probably get better in year 3 and 4. But there are plenty of good college balls that serve as spot up or screen shooters and just don't create on their own. The key is pairing them with guys who do (Gillespie, Ament, etc.)

5. I've seen a number of folks say Perry is a terrible match with Barnes because he didn't play good defense this season. Folks, I think the exact opposite way. Tennessee under Rick Barnes plays some of the best individual and team defense I've ever seen. Do you think all of those players were the best defenders nationally before Barnes scooped them up? Not always. Your staff does an incredible job of teaching defense. I love Mark Pope and I'm incredibly bullish on the future of our program under him, but the one thing he hasn't been known for is coaching good defensive teams. That's probably what I am most curious about this upcoming season since he will also have a much more athletic, defensive-minded personnel than he's ever had before. Was it the personnel? Or was it the coaching? Anyways, Perry this year played on an unathletic, offensive-minded team that lacked a good defensive scheme. He didn't have rim protection (Okpara, etc) to help him if he got beat off the dribble. And due to injuries, he was often guarding the other team's quickest guard-- let's face it, that was some elite talent this past year that cooked a lot of players, not just Perry (Walter Clayton, ZZ, Fears, Pettiford, Sears/Philbon, Fland/Wagner, Hubbard, Pedulla, Tre Johnson, Wade Taylor). I think pairing someone like him who has the most upside on the defensive side, with a defensive-minded coach, creates the biggest runway for growth in his game. He can already shoot it.

6. He is an incredible teammate, hard worker, and selfless. He contributes to the culture, which is hard to measure but has been very important to your program's success under Barnes.

That's my case for Travis Perry to UT.

Spot on!

No lie, you may be my favorite UK fan to ever grace this board (no offense, Bat). No sense of entitlement, you know your place as a guest, and you've been nothing but respectful and complimentary since your arrival. And you've done it all without sacrificing your loyalty and admiration for UK, which I respect.

Kudos, to you, sir/ma'am.

 

[ToddKirk87]

Adams has set up Georgetown and Maryland visits

 

[LittleCat]

Spot on!

No lie, you may be my favorite UK fan to ever grace this board (no offense, Bat). No sense of entitlement, you know your place as a guest, and you've been nothing but respectful and complimentary since your arrival. And you've done it all without sacrificing your loyalty and admiration for UK, which I respect.

Kudos, to you, sir/ma'am.

It’s alright. I’m past my prime anyway.

 

[volinbama256]

Adams has set up Georgetown and Maryland visits

why?