/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66759557/usa_today_14167583.0.jpg)
The Kentucky Wildcats definitely need help and depth in the frontcourt for the 2020-2021 season.
And now, they finally have it.
On Wednesday, Wake Forest center Oliver Sarr announced his commitment to Kentucky:
New beginnings @KentuckyMBB @UKCoachCalipari #LaFamilia ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/CBRsXsGgsP
— Olivier Sarr (@sarr_olivier) May 6, 2020
Sarr, who is regarded as one of the top transfers this offseason, averaged 13.7 points, nine rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game in his junior campaign at Wake Forest. That includes performances of 21 points vs. Arizona, 25 vs. Duke, 30 vs. Notre Dame, and 16 vs. Louisville.
He also recorded a 26.1 Player Efficiency Rating. That would have been the highest mark of any Wildcat scholarship player since Karl-Anthony Towns (31.4) in 2014-15.
In ACC play, Olivier Sarr was:
— Brian Evans (@KSRBEvans) May 6, 2020
15th in the ACC in Off Rating
15th in Effective FG%
14th in Block%
10th in Offensive Rebound%
2nd in Defensive Rebound%
2nd in Fouls Draw/40 minutes
1st in FT Rate
Great add for UK.
For comparison, Nick Richards finished last season with a 25.8 PER last season. PJ Washington had a 26.0 PER in 2018-19.
And Sarr’s game is exactly what Kentucky needs. The 7-foot transfer plays the game much like Nick Richards. He runs the floor, blocks shots, and has come a long way offensively.
However, Sarr is not a graduate transfer, so he normally would have to sit out next season before playing in 2021-22. However, Wake Forest recently fired head coach Danny Manning, which could allow Sarr to get a waiver to play at another school.
For now, Sarr is penciled in as Kentucky’s starting center next season, but again, it’s no lock that he’s eligible to play next season.
I’d also expect Kentucky to add one more player to its roster before next season, and it will likely be one of four-star center Frank Anselem or Evansville transfer DeAndre Williams.
Check out some highlights of the newest Wildcat in action:
A Sea of Blue comes loaded with the best Kentucky Wildcats links, news, analysis, and some other fun stuff, so be sure to go ‘like’ our Facebook page and then go follow us on Twitter. Got a link you think we should check out? Email us at seaofblue@gmail.com.