Kentucky needs to pursue this talented player in the transfer portal

A big guard from UT Martin would be a perfect addition to Kentucky's roster.

We are still in the middle of the 2023-24 Kentucky basketball season, but the coaching staff still has to think about roster management for next year's team. 

Who will leave? Who will stay? All of that is still to be seen, and Kentucky already has six members of the 2024 recruiting class, including the recent addition of five-star Karter Knox. 

Last season, Coach Calipari didn't use the transfer portal all that much, and it will be interesting to see how he uses it this season. One player who announced he plans to hit the portal is UT Martin guard Jacob Crews, who stands 6'8 and averaged 19.4 points per game on the season while shooting 41.4% from deep. 

Watching the highlights on Crews, it's hard not to see this kid being one of the top players in the transfer portal, given his height and ability to score from all over the floor.

The question for Kentucky is how many, if any, players they will want from the transfer portal. It is too early to tell as the staff still needs to see who is going to leave and stay from this year's roster, but if Coach Calipari needs a player from the portal, Crews is one to look at hard. 

Crews has a beautiful shot and makes a lot of moves where you go wow that is NBA stuff right there. He also averaged 8.2 rebounds per game on the season, proving despite being a "big guard," he isn't afraid to go grab a board. Tre Mitchell is Kentucky's leading rebounder at 6.9 a game, and this has been an issue for Kentucky, so Crews could help on that front. 

It's not to say Coach Calipari will ever even speak to Crews, but he is a talented player who has played a lot of college ball and could help Kentucky next season. 

Wake up, new Cat just dropped!

Jacob Crews, UT-Martin, 6'8" pure scorer/shooter

🎥: @PDTScouting pic.twitter.com/syGMVNEt9p

— WT - Lamont Enthusiast (@WildcatsTongue) March 11, 2024