Kentucky basketball: What are the chances everyone returns?

These players might transfer

We’ve seen this before Big Blue Nation. John Calipari has said that the Kentucky basketball program is not for everybody, and he’s right. Some of these young men arrive on campus and are just overwhelmed by the enormity of what UK basketball really is.

Charles Matthews transferred after his freshman season and ended up in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan. Kyle Wiltjer, after his sophomore campaign, decided to head to the Pacific Northwest. He joined coach Mark Few and Gonzaga. Even Marcus Lee, after his junior year, chose to transfer to California.

I have a strange feeling that we may see another UK player take his talents elsewhere this spring. I hope I’m wrong, but I have a feeling that Sacha Killeya-Jones may be looking for a different place to finish out his college basketball career.

SKJ appeared as though he was in Coach Cal’s doghouse at different points this season. Why? I have no idea. I’ve always seen Sacha as a guy who plays with effort and heart. It also doens’t hurt that he’s 6’10”.

Killeya-Jones did increase his minutes two-fold. After Jarred Vanderbilt went down before the SEC Tournament, SKJ was the one who picked up the slack for his injured teammate. I hope the increased playing time and production are enough for Killeya-Jones to remain committed to the Cats. I also hope those factors were enough for Cal to trust the young man going into next season.