Elijah Hawkins is set to make a visit to Kentucky, while the chances of Deivon Smith joining the Wildcats seem slim.
The Kentucky Wildcats secured a commitment from Lamont Butler on Friday, following a significant weekend of transfer visitors. Among them was Utah point guard Deivon Smith, anticipated to join the group heading to Lexington. However, recent developments suggest otherwise.
Earlier on Friday, KSR’s Matt Jones reported that Kentucky’s chances of acquiring Smith were diminishing. The Athletic’s Kyle Tucker later elaborated, indicating obstacles needed to be overcome for Smith to join the Wildcats. The issue seems to revolve around transcripts, as discussed by Kevin Sweeney on Twitter, highlighting a common challenge with multi-time transfers across college sports.
Smith’s academic journey, having transferred from Mississippi State to Georgia Tech, then to Utah, and now considering his fourth school, likely contributes to the complexity of the situation.
As prospects of securing Smith dwindle, another point guard has emerged on Kentucky’s radar. According to On3’s Joe Tipton, Minnesota transfer point guard Elijah Hawkins is scheduled to visit Kentucky early next week, after considering a visit to Texas Tech this weekend.
Originally unranked in the class of 2021, Hawkins gained attention while playing for DeMatha Catholic in Maryland, a renowned high school basketball program. After committing to the Howard Bison, he spent two years there before entering the transfer portal in 2023 and eventually joining the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
During the recent season, Hawkins showcased his skills, averaging 9.5 points, 7.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, demonstrating his prowess as a passer with notable performances.
While Kentucky has several visits planned for the weekend, none of them match the profile of a true point guard like Hawkins, addressing a crucial need for the team’s roster.
