LEXINGTON — The most shocking loss from Kentucky basketball‘s roster came to pass April 22, when freshman guard Travis Perry decided to put his name into the transfer portal on the final day it was open.
Perry, the all-time leading scorer in the history of Kentucky high school basketball, elected to stay in the SEC, announcing his commitment to Ole Miss on May 4.
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In his first public comments on Perry’s departure, UK coach Mark Pope didn’t mask his emotions Tuesday.
“I was devastated when Travis left, mostly because I think he’s such a terrific young man,” Pope said. “I think he’s a really, really special person. I think he’s got an old soul, and he’s full of wisdom. He just is everything that you want in a young man and a player.”
Perry’s transfer was the latest example of how quickly situations change in college athletics. After the team’s season-ending loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament‘s Sweet 16 on March 28, Perry told The Courier Journal he “certainly” planned to return for his sophomore season in Lexington.
Instead, the Wildcats will have to face him as a member of the Rebels.
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“He’s a big-time basketball player. He’s a great talent,” Pope said. “I think it was certainly devastating to me personally, because I enjoyed coaching him so much, and I think he’s got a brilliant upside.
“I think he was on his way to becoming a legend here at Kentucky. So that made me sad. But he’s going to find a path that works for him, and it’s going to be positive. But that was a tough one for us.”
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball: Coach Mark Pope discusses Travis Perry’s transfer
