Wildcats Today

Kentucky Reportedly Reaching Out to Tallest Player in Division I — WKU Transfer Jamarion Sharp

Any team is always in the market for a 7-foot-5 center.

Hunter Shelton

Kentucky Reportedly Reaching Out to Tallest Player in Division I — WKU Transfer Jamarion Sharp
Kentucky Reportedly Reaching Out to Tallest Player in Division I — WKU Transfer Jamarion Sharp /
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As Kentucky continues to wait on the decisions of big men Oscar Tshiebwe, Ugonna Onyenso, Daimion Collins and Lance Ware, it's beginning to heat up the transfer portal rumor mill. 

It had previously been in contact with Michigan center Hunter Dickinson — one of the top players currently in the portal — but there doesn't appear to be any legs to the longtime Wolverine making the jump to Lexington. On Tuesday, another big man was mentioned to have heard from the Wildcats — Western Kentucky's Jamarion Sharp. 

The tallest player in Division I, Sharp has made good use of his 7-foot-5, 235-pound frame, as he's led the nation in blocks the last two seasons for the Hilltoppers, compiling 279 across 64 games — 4.6 per game in 2021-22, then 4.1 a night this past season while also averaging 7.4 points and 7.7 rebounds.

After transferring to WKU from John A. Logan College in Illinois, Sharp has declared for the 2023 NBA draft, but has also maintained his eligibility while entering the portal. Per 24/7 High School Hoops, Kentucky is one of many schools that have reached out to the center: 

  • Kentucky 
  • Arkansas 
  • Missouri 
  • Ole Miss 
  • Florida 
  • Florida State 
  • Nebraska 
  • LSU 
  • UNLV 
  • Memphis 
  • Wake Forest 
  • Gonzaga 
  • NC State 
  • Cincinnati

It doesn't take a genius to see the appeal of Sharp's rim presence. The Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year may not excel on the offensive end, but there will always be a spot in the rotation for someone of Sharp's stature. Throw in the Bluegrass connection, and there's reason to believe that Kentucky may wind up with a true giant in the paint for the 2023-24 season. 

Sharp played against Kentucky in the 2021-22 season, acquiring eight points, six rebounds and a whopping seven blocks in the Hilltoppers' loss to the Cats in Rupp Arena. 

As other teams in the SEC continue to improve via the portal, Kentucky is yet to add a name, though it has now been connected with a few: Dickinson, Sharp, Puff Johnson (North Carolina), Dalton Knecht (Northern Colorado), Olivier Nkamhoua (Tennessee) and Harrison Ingram (Stanford).

More on the portal HERE.

Pros and Cons of Tshiebwe Returning for a Third Season at Kentucky

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.

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Hunter Shelton
HUNTER SHELTON

Hunter Shelton is a writer for Sports Illustrated-FanNation's Wildcats Today, covering football, basketball, baseball and more at the University of Kentucky. Hunter is a Lexington native and has been on the UK beat since 2021.