Kentucky Native Andrew Taylor Transferring to Mississippi State

The guard is headed to Starkville after four seasons at Marshall.

Scratch another name off of the transfer portal big board for Kentucky basketball. 

On Saturday evening, CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein reported that Corbin, Ky. native Andrew Taylor is transferring to play for coach Chris Jans and the Mississippi State Bulldogs after spending four seasons at Marshall: 

Marshall transfer Andrew Taylor tells me that he has committed to Mississippi State.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 14, 2023

On Thursday, Rothstein reported that Kentucky was one of a bevy of teams that was showing interest in the guard — and for good reason. In 110 career games for the Thundering Herd, Taylor averaged 34.5 minutes, scoring 14.6 points while adding 5.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. 

He had a breakout 2022-23 season, ranking 24th in the nation with 20.2 PPG on 41.7 percent shooting. He had 14 games with 20 or more points and had just one game all season with less than 10. He shot 36.4 percent from 3-point range and averaged 4.7 rebounds, as well as 4.7 assists. 

Taylor wasn't highly recruited coming out of Corbin High School, but the 6-foot-3, 185-pound guard had much more noise surrounding him this time around. Indiana, Ole Miss, Auburn, Utah, Michigan, Florida, Kansas State, Xavier, LSU, Memphis, Louisville and others were all reportedly showing interest alongside UK and Miss State. 

There never appeared to be any real run to land Taylor from the Cats, but the homegrown connection was always there. Instead, he'll head to Starkville and compete against his home university next season. 

Still waiting on its first transfer portal addition this cycle, Kentucky awaits the decision of San Diego State forward Keshad Johnson, who is reportedly set to make an announcement next weekend. 

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

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