3 possible Kentucky transfers Texas could target
Adou Thiero, G
The one Kentucky player who already has announced their intentions to enter the transfer portal early this offseason is sophomore guard Adou Thiero. Late last month, Thiero announced he planned to enter the transfer portal while putting his name into the pool for the 2024 NBA Draft.
He specifically announced that he would be "keeping all of my options open, including a return to Kentucky", after a conversation with Calipari a few weeks ago.
"After talking to Coach Calipari, I feel it is best at this time to test the waters professionally, entering my name in the 2024 NBA Draft, while keeping all of my options open, including a return to Kentucky. I'd like to thank the fans, my coaches and teammates for their support over the last two years. I look forward to going through this process to determine the next step for me."
But the fallout of Calipari's departure from Kentucky could limit Thiero's options if he decides to return to school for his junior season in 2024-25.
Texas is in the market for a lengthy guard/wing option to upgrade the depth in that part of the rotation for the upcoming 2024-25 season in the SEC. Terry and the Longhorns lacked a quality wing with great length to match up against some of the better wings and forwards in the Big 12 last season.
Texas also loses its two lengthiest and most proven wing players due to exhausted eligibility this offseason in senior forward Brock Cunningham and senior wing Ithiel Horton.
The 6-foot-8 and 220-pound Thiero is a quality two-way wing with the length to guard multiple positions and pull up over smaller defenders between the one and the three on offense. Thiero's physical profile and skill set checks many of the boxes Texas needs from a lengthy guard/wing option in the portal this spring.
Thiero is a good rebounder and versatile wing defender, which could help a Texas team that ranked in the bottom half of the Big 12 in 2023-24 in defensive rebounding percentage and defensive rating.
On the offensive end, Thiero is a slashing guard who has an impressive mid-range game. His length and athleticism allows him to get an edge against 99 percent of defending guards/wings in the college game either by pulling up from 12 or 15-feet or blowing by them to get to the rim for high-percentage buckets.