With just hours left until the college basketball transfer portal closed, there was one final surprise. Kentucky guard Travis Perry entered the transfer portal.

As a true freshman last season, the 6-foot-1 guard averaged 2.7 points in 9.7 minutes per outing across 31 games, including four as a starter. He shot 36.6 percent from deep (15-41) during 18 SEC games.

A prolific prep star, Perry broke the long-time KHSAA scoring record during his junior season at Lyon County. The following year, he guided the Lyons to a Sweet 16 Title at Rupp Arena. He was named Mr. Kentucky Basketball after beating Trent Noah‘s Harlan County team in the title game, finishing his career with more than 5,000 points. Perry was the lone holdover from the John Calipari era and filled an unexpectedly important role as a true freshman under Pope.

Due to several injuries in the backcourt, Travis Perry was thrust into extended minutes at various points in the season. He started three straight games during the middle of SEC play, averaging 8.0 points, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 steals in 27.3 minutes per outing. He also started for Kentucky during the Wildcats’ SEC Tournament quarterfinal matchup against Alabama, finishing with 11 points and four rebounds in 30 minutes.

Even though he was such a highly-regarded high school player in the state of Kentucky, it was unclear if he would pass muster for John Calipari. Before he ultimately committed to the Cats, Alabama, Cincinnati, Ole Miss, Purdue, and Western Kentucky were heavily involved in his recruitment.