Kentucky forward Daimion Collins jumps into transfer portal

Kentucky forward Daimion Collins entered his name into the transfer portal, he announced in a Friday tweet.

"In the last two years, I have encountered so many amazing people and had some incredible memories that I will cherish a lifetime," he wrote. "To my teammates, thank you for the strong bond and brotherhood."

A former 5-star prospect out of Atlanta, Texas, Collins joined a 2021 Wildcats recruiting class that ranked second in the nation and featured three five-star recruits and four transfers. 

Guard CJ Fredrick, who came over from Iowa as part of that class, has also entered his name into the transfer portal, with the Cincinnati Bearcats and Xavier Musketeers (among other schools) showing interest since he took the portal plunge, according to Cincinnati Enquirer Sports Reporter Dave Clark.

The turnover of players entering the transfer portal or declaring for the NBA Draft will challenge Kentucky head coach John Calipari to assemble a roster featuring bright young prospects and a few returning faces (should the team not make their own moves in the portal).

Guard Brennan Canada and forward Ugonna Onyenso are planning to return next season, Louisville Courier Journal University of Kentucky Sports beat reporter Ryan Black has noted in a Kentucky basketball roster tracker. Four five-star recruits have also signed their national letters of intent with the Wildcats, bringing the program's latest recruiting class up to No. 1 in the country ahead of Duke, Connecticut and Louisville.

Earlier this month, Calipari went into detail about the blessing of his job and how it gives him a chance to mentor young men.

“The reason is Kentucky is a stage I can really help kids compete for national titles," Calipari said, via SB Nation. "You can really help kids. Our kids in the NBA, what they’ve been able to do with their lives, they’ve made over $3 billion.”