The Kentucky Wildcats 2023-2024 roster took a hit on Friday morning as rotational guard and part-time starter CJ Fredrick and forward Daimino Collins are both entering the transfer portal. Both players announced on Twitter their decisions to enter the portal.
Fredrick is leaving Lexington after two years with the Wildcats program. He originally transferred into the program prior to the 2021-2022 season after two productive seasons with the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021. During his two seasons with the Hawkeyes, he averaged 8.8 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while starting in 52 games.
His start with the Wildcats would not be the one that was envisioned as he appeared in just one game due to a hamstring injury that required surgery. He also missed seven games this past season for the Wildcats due to multiple injuries. When on the court, Fredrick was solid for John Calipari’s program, averaging 6.1 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over 27 games and 22.3 minutes a night.
While he will be entering the transfer portal, Fredrick also says in his statement on Twitter that he will be considering professional options and will be maintaining his college eligibility in the process. While he has used five years of eligibility already, redshirting his true freshman season at Iowa, Fredrick still has one year of eligibility remaining thanks to the NCAA’s COVID-19 eligibility ruling, awarding him one extra season of eligibility.
Collins, a former five-star prospect never was able to find his footing with the Wildcats, averaging 2.4 points and 2.0 rebounds over 52 games. He’ll look for a fresh start elsewhere and while he hasn’t had the career that many have expected, should still be a popular name in the transfer portal this offseason thanks to his potential.
Kentucky, on the other hand, without Fredrick will look to improve upon a 22-12 record from this past season including 12-6 in SEC play. The Wildcats were a No.6 seed in this year’s NCAA Tournament before being eliminated by Kansas State in the Round of 32.