Coach Mark Pope tried to recruit former Utah guard Deivon Smith for Kentucky basketball, but an issue with credits being transferred prevented him from becoming a Wildcat. Instead, Smith has committed former Kentucky basketball coach Rick Pitino and St John’s.
Smith was one of the top players available in the transfer portal, having averaged 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game last season. He was also effective from deep, hitting 41% of his three-point attempts.
Though he spent the 2023-24 season in Utah, he has had multiple stops in his college career. He has one year of eligibility remaining, and will spend it with Pitino and the Red Storm.
Kentucky had to pivot at point guard, and ended up with a couple of really good players in Lamont Butler and Kerr Kriisa. Pope has put together a very talented roster, despite not landing Smith.
It will be interesting to watch how things turn out for Smith at St John’s. Big Blue Nation would have loved to have him, but Kentucky fans still love Pitino, and will root for his success there.