Former Kentucky Shooting Guard CJ Fredrick Transferring to Cincinnati

The Cincinnati native is heading home to close out his collegiate career.

The first of three Kentucky basketball players in the transfer portal has announced their next destination.

Cincinnati native CJ Fredrick is actually heading home this time, as the former Iowa Hawkeye and now Kentucky Wildcat is transferring to Cincinnati to close out his collegiate career as a Bearcat. He announced the news on Monday afternoon:

Excited for this next step in my journey! I’m all in! Go Bearcats❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/ZODS7U5iu0

— Cj Fredrick (@cj_fredrick) April 24, 2023

Fredrick officially entered the portal over the weekend on April 21, but it didn't take long to find his third stop. When announcing his decision to transfer out of Kentucky, he mentioned he was also going to consider professional options, but opted to stay in college. 

Fredrick transferred to Kentucky from Iowa ahead of the 2021-22 season following a campaign with the Hawkeyes that saw the Cincinnati, Ohio native shoot 47.4 percent from 3-point range. He averaged 7.5 points and 1.9 assists-per-game that season, playing around 25 minutes a game.

With expectations high, injuries proceeded to take a toll on Fredrick over the course of his two seasons at Kentucky. He didn't play in the 2021-22 season due to a torn hamstring that was suffered in layup lines ahead of the Champions Classic game versus Duke to open the season.

After rehabbing and working his way back to full health ahead of last season, he was again bit by the injury bug on multiple occasions, as a dislocated finger and cracked ribs marred his final year as a Wildcat. He played 27 games, averaged 6.1 points, 1.5 assists and 0.8 rebounds while averaging 22.2 minutes. He shot only 35.1 percent from the floor and 31.8 percent from behind the arc, rarely playing fully healthy.

Fredrick had 10 games with 10 or more points, with his season-high coming in the season-opener vs. Howard that saw him connect on six of nine shots, equaling 20 points to go along with three boards and three assists.

Rumblings of a decision were quiet for Fredrick following the NCAA Tournament loss to Kansas State, as a return, portal entry or even retirement appeared to be on the table.

"It's been a long five years," Fredrick said following the loss. "It's been an unbelievable ride for me ... I truly am grateful for the experiences that I've had and I love the guys in this locker room." 

With Fredrick back home in Ohio, just two former Wildcats remain in the portal — point guard Sahvir Wheeler and forward Daimion Collins. Washington is the expected destination for Wheeler, while a program closer to home in Texas is the expectation for Collins. 

More on the soon-to-be Wildcats HERE.

Inside Kentucky basketball's somber locker room after NCAA Tourney defeat HERE.

More on the potential roster overhaul in Lexington HERE.

More on the loss to Kansas State HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

Sports Illustrated also offers insight, information and up to the minute details for gamblers. Check it out here.