In a move that caught many off guard, Kentucky guard Travis Perry entered the NCAA transfer portal just hours before Tuesday night’s midnight deadline. The timing was unexpected, especially coming just a day after the Wildcats secured a commitment from Florida transfer Denzel Aberdeen—an addition that may have signaled a shift in Kentucky’s backcourt rotation.
Perry’s decision to explore other opportunities appears to be motivated by a desire for more consistent playing time. With the writing on the wall following Aberdeen’s commitment, the in-state product made a late but calculated exit, looking to carve out a larger role elsewhere as he enters his sophomore season.
Initially, many Kentucky fans anticipated that Perry, a former Mr. Basketball in Kentucky, might be headed for a mid-major program where he could take on a starring role. Instead, the reaction has been the complete opposite. According to On3’s Joe Tipton, Perry has drawn widespread interest from a number of high-major programs, including several of Kentucky’s SEC rivals.
Among the programs reportedly expressing interest in the 6-foot-1 guard are Louisville, Arkansas, Tennessee, Ole Miss, South Carolina, LSU, Missouri, Georgia, and Maryland—along with in-state Western Kentucky. Notably, both Louisville and Tennessee would represent direct rivals for the Wildcats, adding an extra layer of drama to Perry’s potential landing spot.
During his freshman campaign, Perry was thrust into a larger role due to injuries suffered by Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson. He logged double-digit minutes in nine games, including a five-game stretch during SEC play. One of his most notable performances came on the road against Alabama, where he started at point guard and posted 12 points, a rebound, an assist, and an impressive four steals in a gritty showing.
Perry’s combination of scoring touch, defensive tenacity, and ability to handle the ball under pressure has clearly caught the attention of several prominent programs. As he weighs his next move, it’s clear that Perry won’t be short on options—and he may be facing off against his former team in the not-so-distant future.
With the transfer portal window now closed, the attention shifts to where Perry will land—and how his departure might impact a Kentucky roster already undergoing change.
