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Getting a big-time recruit is always nice. Beating Duke for a big recruit makes it even better.
On Wednesday, Wake Forest center Olivier Sarr announced his commitment to the Kentucky Wildcats, who were in desperate need of an impact center for next season.
It just so happens that Duke was among the schools who reached out to Sarr once he entered the transfer portal, per ESPN’s Jeff Borzello.
Olivier Sarr heard from Duke, Baylor, Florida State, Gonzaga, etc. But it came down to Kentucky and a return to Wake Forest.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) May 6, 2020
"I'm not transferring because I don't like the school, the team, the new coach. Just that I felt like this was the best opportunity and I had to take it."
Kentucky hasn’t had great success against Duke on the recruiting trail recently. Some recent battles the Blue Devils have won include Vernon Carey Jr., Marques Bolden, Jalen Johnson, Jayson Tatum, RJ Barrett, and of course, Zion Williamson.
So for the Wildcats to get a player that Duke was starting to recruit, it makes getting Sarr even sweeter.
And between schools like Duke, Gonzaga, Florida State and Baylor reaching out, it also shows that Kentucky got a guy that was going to be a very hot commodity nationally.