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Isaac Humphries hinted at exploring new opportunities during the NCAA Tournament, and it looks like professional basketball is one of them.
According to Scout.com’s Evan Daniels, Humphries is looking into a potential pro career, but he hasn’t completely shut the door on a return to UK.
Kentucky's Isaac Humphries is seriously contemplating pursuing professional options, per multiple sources. Still a possibility he returns.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) April 6, 2017
Kentucky badly needs Humphries back if they miss on Mohamed Bamba to close out the 2017 class, and even if Bamba comes, Humphries has a chance to be the starting center next season.
That’s assuming Bam Adebayo remains in the NBA Draft, even though he is not hiring an agent right away. The combination of Bamba and Humphries in the paint could be lethal next season, at least if we see the Humphries that broke out against UNC.
Humphries spent most of the past two seasons riding the bench and getting occasional minutes, which is why he’s thinking about going back home to Australia to play in an overseas professional league.
But Humphries’ breakout game against the Tar Heels showed that he can play significant minutes and make a big impact, which could help coerce him to return to Lexington and give it another shot.
At this point, I’d lean towards Humphries being elsewhere next season, but he still has plenty of time to mull over his next move. If he leaves, Kentucky is left with Nick Richards, Sacha Killeya-Jones and Tai Wynyard down low. Wenyen Gabriel and P.J. Washington could play the 4, but they’re also expected to challenge for the starting wing spot.
Even if Bamba comes, that’s a pretty thin frontcourt that could certainly use an experienced big like Humphries.