Tag: Aaron Bradshaw

Former Kentucky basketball player Aaron Bradshaw commits to Ohio State

Former Kentucky basketball player Aaron Bradshaw transfers to Ohio State.

Multiple members of the 2023-24 Kentucky Wildcats basketball team have opted to enter the transfer portal. Some of those players are still in contact with new coach Mark Pope, leaving a return to Kentucky open. Aaron Bradshaw, however, has moved on.

Bradshaw has decided to continue his college career with the Ohio State Buckeyes. This decision came after visiting them over the weekend. What he saw there must have swayed him, because he quickly chose them.

As a Freshman at Kentucky, Bradshaw was unable to get consistent playing time at various points, and dealt with an injury early in the year. He wound up averaging five points and three rebounds for year season.

The seven-foot Bradshaw was a top five recruit for Kentucky, and was expected to solidify the frontcourt on a young Wildcats team. Unfortunately, the injury caused him to miss the first part of the season, and he seemed to struggle to get into a consistent groove.

As the season ended, most fans thought he might choose to transfer, even before the coaching change. A new start may be the best thing for him, and Big Blue Nation wishes him well.

Ohio State basketball lands huge commitment through the portal

Big news! #GoBucks

With John Calipari out the door at Kentucky after a surprising move to Arkansas many of the Wildcats players and recruits have decided to go elsewhere.

Thus far Kentucky has had four recruits decommit and three players enter the transfer portal. Among those to enter the transfer portal is 7-foot-1, 226 pound center, Aaron Bradshaw.

He appeared in 26 games with 10 starts in his true freshman season this year where he played an average of 13.7 minutes per game averaging 4.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks for the Wildcats.

Bradshaw is a good rim protector with a high ceiling on both ends of the floor. He was a highly sought after recruit in the 2023 class as he ranked as the 4th overall player and top center in the class on the 247Sports Composite rankings.

This is a massive addition for the Buckeyes as between Felix Okpara and Bradshaw, they have two good options in the front court with both providing excellent rim protection and improving offensive games.

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UNC basketball showing interest in former Kentucky center

With John Calipari leaving, Aaron Bradshaw entered his name into the transfer portal. And the UNC basketball program is showing interest.

With John Calipari’s exit from Kentucky and him taking the Arkansas job, the Wildcats have seen a few players put their name into the transfer portal. And the UNC basketball program is quickly in pursuit of one of those players.

Just days after freshman center Aaron Bradshaw entered the portal, North Carolina has reached out.

Per Sherrell McMillan of Inside Carolina, the Tar Heels staff has had conversations with Bradshaw already:

The North Carolina coaching staff has held multiple conversations with Kentucky transfer center Aaron Bradshaw, sources confirmed to Inside Carolina on Thursday.

As Inside Carolina has previously reported, following the departure of five-year stalwart Armando Bacot, UNC is looking this offseason in the portal for an immediate impact post player to join the rotation with rising junior Jalen Washington at the center position for 2024-25.

With Armando Bacot gone, North Carolina is looking to add another center to the roster despite having Jalen Washington and welcoming in freshman James Brown this season. Landing the 7-foot-1 Bradshaw, a former five-star recruit, would be HUGE for the Tar Heels next season.

Bradshaw appeared in 26 games for Kentucky, making 10 starts. He averaged 4.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks per game on a loaded Kentucky roster.

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Photo gallery of Aaron Bradshaw and his lone season at Kentucky

Some of the best images from Aaron Bradshaw in his season at Kentucky

It was obvious even before John Calipari announced his departure from Kentucky that the Wildcats roster was going to look much different next year. Therefore Aaron Bradshaw’s announcement that he was entering the transfer portal and the NBA Draft wasn’t surprising.

Bradshaw came to Kentucky as a top five recruit, and was a talented Freshman. A seven-footer, he possessed terrific instincts for protecting the rim, but he also had the ability to step out and shoot accurately.

The season started out nicely for Bradshaw, and he recorded double figures in five of his first nine games. However, as he entered SEC play, he lost playing time to the other big men, who rebounded the ball better.

For the season, he averaged 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. His NBA Draft stock isn’t high, according to most mock drafts, so a transfer to get more playing time might be the better move.

Despite things not going the way Bradshaw would have liked, he did have some very nice moments in Lexington. Here is a gallery of some of his best:

Kentucky center Aaron Bradshaw to enter transfer portal, test 2024 NBA draft

Aaron Bradshaw averaged 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds on 57.6% shooting from the field in 26 games.

Kentucky freshman center Aaron Bradshaw announced this week on social media that he will enter the transfer portal and test the 2024 NBA draft after one season with the Wildcats.

Bradshaw averaged 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds on 57.6% shooting from the field in 26 games. He scored in double figures seven times, including a season-high 17 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and one steal on Dec. 9 in a win over Penn.

The 7-footer was highly recruited out of Camden High School in New Jersey and was the top-ranked center in the class of 2023, according to 247Sports. He was a consensus five-star recruit and should once again garner plenty of interest among the top programs in the country.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5gVxe5rcOR/

Bradshaw missed the first seven games of the season due to an offseason foot injury. He mostly came off the bench but produced his best stretch of the season in 10 games as a starter from Dec. 16-Jan. 27, including four games in double figures.

The 20-year-old will be able to work out and interview with teams throughout the pre-draft process. He will receive feedback on his game from executives and coaches, which will ultimately help him form a decision on his future.

He has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.

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Kentucky center Aaron Bradshaw should be a UNC target

Former Kentucky center Aaron Bradshaw immediately becomes a hot name on the transfer portal – the first after John Calipari was hired by Arkansas. Would it make sense for UNC to pursue the former 5-star center?

If you were up late on Monday, April 7 and had your mind on the sports world, chances are you came across some shocking news.

John Calipari, the legendary coach who spend the past 15 seasons leading the Kentucky Wildcats back to prominence, is getting set to leave Kentucky and become the head coach at the University or Arkansas. This announcement came not too long after Eric Mussleman left to become head coach at USC.

When a well-respected head coach leaves one program for another, players tend to leave because of close relationships and recruiting ties. I understand trying to stick it out for a new coach, but it can be challenging playing for someone new.

One player who left Kentucky, shortly after Calipari was hired away, was former 5-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American Aaron Bradshaw. He’s a big, 7-foot-1 center who can not only dominate the paint, but also shoot the occasional 3-pointer.

Enter the North Carolina Tar Heels, who will be inexperienced at a spot where they like to run their offense through. Armando Bacot held down center the past five seasons (and started 168 games), but he has now exhausted his eligibility.

UNC has Jalen Washington primed to take over the center spot. I really like his chances to shine – despite only averaging 8.4 minutes per game last season, he showcased he can be special with his combination of paint presence and jump-shooting ability.

If incoming 4-star James Brown will also see minutes at center, why does North Carolina need Bradshaw?

He has tremendous height, something the Tar Heels tend to lack behind their starting lineup. Bringing in Bradshaw would almost certainly improve the play of Washington and Brown, who will already be competing for a starting spot.

Bradshaw has a game similar to Washington, in that he can bully opponents down low or shoot a jumper when needed. I love Bacot – there’s no doubting he’s an all-time great – but he did most of damage in the paint.

Bradshaw also came from a reputable, Power 5 program that’s amongst the SEC’s best. I’m all about the best players transferring in from wherever, but bringing in a player who plays against 5-star competition certainly helps.

Will Bradshaw choose UNC or follow his former head coach to Kentucky?

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Kentucky center Aaron Bradshaw enters transfer portal and declares for NBA Draft

Kentucky center Aaron Bradshaw has entered the transfer portal and the NBA Draft.

In a move that isn’t surprising, Kentucky Wildcats center Aaron Bradshaw has entered the transfer portal and declared for the NBA Draft. He made the announcement via his Instagram.

Bradshaw joins fellow Freshman Justin Edwards as having entered the draft. Most mock drafts have then going in the second round at this point.

The announcement from Bradshaw comes less than 24 hours after the news that coach John Calipari would be leaving Kentucky to take the job at Arkansas. As a Coach Cal recruit, the move by Bradshaw isn’t unexpected.

Aaron Bradshaw was a top five recruit at Kentucky, and one of three seven-footers on the roster. In his one season in Lexington, he averaged five points and three rebounds per game.

NBA teams will be drawn to Bradshaw’s combination of size and ability to spread defenses out. He has a decent jump shot and is an effective rim protector. He needs to get stronger and work on his rebounding.

Bradshaw is probably just the next of several major changes coming with Calipari’s departure. Wildcats fans are in for an interesting offseason.

Three Wildcats chosen in way-too-early ESPN 2025 NBA mock draft

Three Kentucky players are in ESPN’s way-too-early 2025 NBA mock draft.

The 2023-24 college basketball season is winding down for the Kentucky Wildcats, and some fans are already talking about this year’s NBA Draft. Mock Drafts have begun to circulate, and it appears as though multiple Wildcats will be chosen.

Taking a look at 2024 mock drafts is always fun, but one ESPN analyst has taken it a step further, and is looking ahead to 2025. Jonathan Givony has taken a stab at next year’s NBA Draft (story requires subscription) and Kentucky is represented.

To complete the exercise, Givony ruled out any players he had in his 2024 mock draft. Then he put his prediction together with the names on his “available” list.

The first Wildcat on Givony’s list is forward Adou Thiero at pick 27. A guard last season, Thiero shot up and is now a physical specimen. His game is still developing, but he has untapped potential and could go much higher.

Zvonimir Ivisic was up next at pick 40. “Big Z” wasn’t declared as eligible until conference play had begun, and defensively, is still a work in progress. However, his offensive skill-set may get him drafted this year.

The third player from Kentucky on the list is center Aaron Bradshaw at pick 44. He’s another hugely talented player who needs refinement, especially on defense. He also needs to simply get stronger.

As the 2024 Draft gets closer, and we find out who is going pro and who is staying, it becomes easier to make 2025 predictions. For now, it’s just an exercise, but even so far away, it is fun.

Aaron Bradshaw has a leadership moment against Mississippi State

Kentucky center Aaron Bradshaw was a great teammate on Tuesday night.

For Kentucky Wildcats center Aaron Bradshaw, the 2023-24 season has not gone the way he planned. On the court, he has struggled to find his fit. However, there was a moment in Tuesday’s game against Mississippi State where he showed that he is as much a part of the team as anyone.

The seven foot Freshman came into the season as a top five recruit, and expected to make an impact early. An unfortunate injury caused him to miss the start of the season, then he had to try and find a fit within the team. There were flashes of potential, but overall, he has struggled to consistently find minutes.

Since scoring 12 points against Vanderbilt in early February, Bradshaw has only scored 9 total points in the five game leading up to Mississippi State on Tuesday. He was held scoreless in two of those games. Against the Bulldogs, he scored four points, but his biggest contribution didn’t come while he was on the court.

Kentucky had a seemingly insurmountable lead with under a minute to play, but the Bulldogs hit back-to-back threes. Then, Mississippi State went inside, and Ugonna Onyenso made a mental error, fouling the shooter, who made the shot as well, giving them a three point play. Onyenso immediately understood his mistake, and he went to the bench. That’s when Bradshaw showed he is a teammate first, and basketball player second.

As Onyenso sat down, head in his hands, Bradshaw immediately put his arm around him and gave him what were probably words of encouragement. It was just a quick encounter that lasted a couple of seconds, but it said a ton about Bradshaw’s character.

There’s no doubting that Aaron Bradshaw has talent, and can become a factor for Kentucky down the stretch. Even if he doesn’t, though, he’s shown that he will be a great teammate.

Predictions: Which Kentucky men’s basketball players will return next year

The Kentucky Wildcats have several talented Freshman players who could be drafted. Here’s a prediction of who could leave.

The Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team is a very young one. There are six Freshmen in the rotation regularly, and another two Sophomores playing nightly. They’re young, but very talented as well.

When this type of convergence happens, the talk inevitably turns to their NBA prospects and fans begin to wander who will leave early, and who might stick around. With the season’s end approaching, many Cats fans are looking ahead to next year, and guessing at who may be back.

There’s no way to be sure what players are being told by people about their NBA prospects, but here are predictions on what might happen, and what should happen with Kentucky’s Freshman group.