Memphis may be jumping into the mix for Kerry Blackshear

A new school may be jumping in the mix for Kerry Blackshear Jr.

According to Arkansas reporter Kevin McPherson, the Memphis Tigers are now in the running for Blackshear:

When Blackshear announced he would pull his name out of the NBA Draft, he quickly became one of the most sought after transfers in recent memory. He actually announced he would be a grad transfer when he initially declared for the draft, though he was believed to be strongly leaning toward staying in the draft before option for a return to school.

The Kentucky Wildcats, as well as a host of other schools, quickly became involved when Blackshear declared his intentions. The Florida Gators, Arkansas Razorbacks, Tennessee Volunteers and Texas A&M Aggies have also shown heavy interest.

Blackshear has already visited Florida and Arkansas while planning to visit Tennessee and Kentucky this week. That would be four visits, so perhaps Memphis may end up being his fifth and final visit.

But if Blackshear wants to visit Memphis, perhaps he’ll do so this weekend after leaving Knoxville, then make his way to Lexington sometime later next week for his final visit.

Memphis already has No. 1 overall recruit James Wiseman locking down the center spot. They’re also bringing in top-10 recruit Precious Achiuwa, who could end up playing power forward. They still could certainly use another big man and are already a preseason top 25 team, so adding Blackshear would make them a serious Final Four threat.

Kentucky was able to keep EJ Montgomery and Nick Richards while adding Bucknell grad transfer Nate Sestina, and most preseason poll projections have them in the 2-5 range for next season. They would become the favorite to win it all next season if they add Blackshear, but their crowded frontcourt could lead to him landing elsewhere.