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Kentucky forward Aaron Bradshaw has entered the transfer portal after just one season in Lexington.
The news was first reported by 247sports’ Travis Branham.
In a statement posted to Instagram, Bradshaw shared he will also enter the NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility and entering the transfer portal.
“To the incredible Wildcats fans, my teammates, coaches, and supporters, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the unwavering support you have shown me throughout my time at the University of Kentucky. Representing the blue and white has genuinely been an absolute honor, and I am grateful for every opportunity I’ve had to put on a Kentucky jersey,” Bradshaw wrote. “Thank you to Coach Calipari, and the whole Kentucky staff for the support and guidance I have received throughout every step of my process. Your belief in me has fueled my drive and determination, and I am committed to making you proud, both on and off the court. Thank you to my teammates for battling alongside me and inspiring me to be my best.
“After much reflection and discussion with my family, coaches, and mentors, I have made the decision to enter the NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility and also entering the NCAA transfer portal. This has been a lifelong dream of mine, and I am eager to explore what the next chapter in my basketball journey holds while continuing to develop and grow each and every day. Thank you once again for your unwavering support.”
Bradshaw is the first Kentucky transfer portal exit since the news broke that John Calipari would be taking the head coaching job at Arkansas leaving Kentucky after 15 seasons.
The 7-foot-1 forward was a five-star prospect and McDonald’s All-American out of Camden High School in 2023, teaming up with high school teammate D.J. Wagner in Lexington to help make up the Cats top-ranked class.
Bradshaw was expected to be a one-and-done and a 2024 NBA Draft lottery pick but instead had a rough freshman year in Lexington.
He suffered a fractured foot over the offseason which forced him to miss the first seven games of the season.
Bradshaw returned Dec. 2 against UNC-Wilmington, and in his second game as a Wildcat, he logged a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds in Philadelphia against Penn.
From there, he entered the starting lineup for 10 games and hit a game-winning three at Florida to open SEC play, but eventually was moved back to a bench role after struggling to stay out of foul trouble and not being able to provide UK with the same level of rim protection as fellow seven-footer Ugonna Onyenso.
Overall, he averaged 4.9 points per game, 3.3 rebounds and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 57.6 percent from the field, 28.6 percent from three and 56.8 percent from the free throw line in 26 games and 10 starts.
He’ll have three years remaining eligibility at his next school.