LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It's not a shock — but it is a surprise and maybe a little bit of a gut punch for fans hoping to see a Kentucky native flourish in Lexington.
Travis Perry, the state's all-time leading high school scorer and the lone holdover from John Calipari's final recruiting class, entered the NCAA transfer portal Tuesday just hours before the window closed.
Perry, Kentucky's 2024 Mr. Basketball out of Lyon County, saw his role expand as a freshman when injuries hit UK's backcourt in midseason. He started three straight games during SEC play, averaging 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists over that stretch.
But as the team got healthier, Perry's minutes declined. He scored 11 points in Kentucky's SEC Tournament loss to Alabama but didn't see the court in the 78-65 NCAA Tournament loss to Tennessee.
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With a logjam of transfer guards arriving under new coach Mark Pope — and the potential return of Otega Oweh — Perry's path to playing time next season had grown increasingly narrow.
He averaged 2.7 points per game in 31 appearances, including four starts, and shot 32.1% from three.
Perry is the second scholarship player from this year's roster to enter the portal, joining veteran guard Kerr Kriisa.
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