Kentucky Wildcats rookie Devin Askew, a previous five-star basketball recruit, has entered the transfer portal, the school reported Monday.
Askew, a 6-foot-3 point guard from California, begun 20 games during his first season in Lexington. He averaged 6.5 points and 2.9 assists yet battled shooting the ball and was conflicting dealing with the ball.
Askew was the No. 26 prospect in the ESPN 100 for 2020. He renamed from the 2021 class soon after focusing on the Wildcats.
“I am thankful for the opportunity I had to play basketball at the University of Kentucky,” Askew said in the school’s statement. “I am also thankful for the coaching staff as they provided an experience that contributed to my development in this game I love. My teammates will be my friends forever and I appreciate how they pushed me day in and day out to get better.”
John Calipari is confronting another modify after a 9-16 campaign, with Askew the second player to move out of the program since the season finished, following Cam’Ron Fletcher. Three players entered the NBA draft, with B.J. Boston and Terrence Clarke liable to remain and Isaiah Jackson inviting a re-visitation of Lexington.
“This is the part of the business I hate,” Calipari said in the release. “I wish I could coach every kid for four years, but I have to respect Devin’s decision and I do. I will always be here to help him. My hope — and I told him this — is that he takes the fight he learned here with him wherever he goes. He was a great teammate and improved in so many ways as the season wore on. I will be rooting for Devin as he takes this next step.”
Kentucky has three ESPN 100 prospects entering the program next season, alongside West Virginia transfer Oscar Tshiebwe and Davidson transfer Kellan Grady. The Wildcats are likewise expected to look for another guard on the transfer market.