Photo courtesy of UK Athletics
Kentucky freshman guard Quade Green has been at the center of transfer rumors the last couple of weeks but it appears he will return to Kentucky for his sophomore season.
According to Jerry Tipton of the Herald-Leader, Green’s mother, Tamika Johnson, says her son will remain at Kentucky.
This is great news for the Big Blue Nation and John Calipari, who will now have an experienced guard to lead a young, talented backcourt. Five-star freshman Immanuel Quickley and possibly 2019 five-star guard Ashton Hagans (if he reclassifies) will join Green in the backcourt next season.
Kentucky is also in the mix for 2019 point guard Tyrese Maxey, who said earlier this month that he and Calipari have discussed a possible reclassification to join a loaded Kentucky backcourt next season. Not sure how the decision of Green affects the possibility of that occurring, but Green’s experience is more important to next season’s roster.
Ultimately, Green made the right decision to return to Kentucky. The former McDonald’s All-American and five-star guard was forced to adjust his game and adapt to the emergence of star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is now off to the NBA after a successful season in Lexington.
As a freshman, Green averaged 9.3 points and 2.7 assists per game, while shooting 37.6 percent from three-point range.
Herald-Leader
