:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74066563/usa_today_25664002.5.jpg)
Update: Well, so much for that.
Kentucky isn’t expected to be involved in the recruitment of USC transfer Desmond Claude, sources tell @On3sports.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 5, 2025
As Polacheck writes here, I don’t expect anything materialize between Claude and UK. https://t.co/YSjyCk8D91
As you were.
The Kentucky Wildcats have added Reece Potter to the roster as the 13th man for next season. If college basketball rosters remain at 13 scholarships, that means Kentucky is all done with the 2025 class, pending a few potential walk-on additions.
However, the impending House settlement could essentially end walk-ons and limit rosters to 15 total players. If that’s the case, then Kentucky may try to add 1-2 more scholarship-caliber players via the transfer portal.
USC Trojans point guard Desmond Claude would certainly fit that bill, and according to Jeff Borzello, Kentucky has made contact.
“USC transfer Desmond Claude is hearing from Gonzaga, Duke, Virginia, Ole Miss & Kentucky, sources told ESPN, with Duke reaching out over the weekend,” Borzello wrote on Twitter. “In his next school, sources said, Claude is looking for a proven backcourt mate to share playmaking & a team built for a deep run.”
The 6-foot-6, 201-pound Claude is easily one of the best remaining players in the transfer portal. After spending two seasons at Xavier to begin his college career, Claude transferred to USC this past year and became one of the best guards in the conference.
In 33 games (32 starts), Claude averaged 15.8 points on 48.2% shooting (30.7% from deep on 2.3 attempts per game), 4.2 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game. He’ll have one year of eligibility remaining.
Unless Kentucky has a surprise decommitment, I’d say Claude isn’t a realistic option at this time. Perhaps this is a scenario where Kentucky is keeping tabs on Claude as insurance in the unlikely event that Jaland Lowe decides to stay in the NBA Draft.
Lowe, Kentucky’s projected starting point guard next season, is testing the waters but is expected to ultimately pull out and play for the Wildcats next season.
Claude could also be insurance in case shooting guard Otega Oweh stays in the NBA Draft. Oweh is expected to return but is much more likely to be drafted than Lowe.
Follow our Twitter page and then go ‘like’ our Facebook page for the latest Kentucky Wildcats news and views. Go Cats!
Loading comments...