Transfer Portal Shocker: Mark Pope ‘Devastated’ as Kentucky Star Travis Perry Heads to SEC Rival Ole Miss
The NCAA transfer portal has stolen the spotlight this spring, dominating college basketball headlines after a dramatic March Madness finale. With Florida clinching the national title following thrilling wins over Auburn and Duke, attention has now shifted from the hardwood to the roster reshuffling taking place nationwide.
Few programs have been as active — or as scrutinized — as the Kentucky Wildcats. Under newly appointed head coach Mark Pope, the Wildcats have been retooling their roster in a bid to return to championship glory. But not every move this offseason has gone their way.
One of the more heartbreaking exits? Travis Perry.
Despite Kentucky reeling in a strong batch of new recruits, Perry — a former Mr. Basketball in Kentucky and a beloved local star — chose a new path. Last week, he committed to Ole Miss, joining head coach Chris Beard’s rapidly reloading Rebels.
For Coach Pope, the loss was more than just another name in the portal.
“I was devastated when Travis left,” Pope admitted. “Mostly because I think he is such a special young man… It was devastating to me personally because I enjoyed coaching him so much, and I think he has a brilliant upside. I think he was on his way to becoming a legend here at Kentucky.”
Perry, who owns the all-time scoring record in Kentucky high school basketball history with 5,381 points, was once seen as a future cornerstone for the Wildcats. During his freshman campaign, however, he played a limited role — averaging 2.7 points in just under 10 minutes per game across 31 appearances, with four starts.
Now, he joins a growing wave of talent headed to Oxford. Ole Miss has also landed Kansas transfer AJ Storr, Louisville duo James Scott and Koren Johnson, and LSU’s Corey Chest — signaling Beard’s intention to compete immediately.
Meanwhile, the Rebels saw the departure of four players to the portal, including Ja’Von Benson and Robert Cowherd. John Bol is now with UCF, while TJ Caldwell has transferred to Arkansas State.
As the offseason continues, Kentucky fans will watch closely to see how Pope navigates this new era — and whether the loss of a hometown hero like Perry will come back to haunt Big Blue Nation.
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