Kentucky Basketball has been linked to a familiar and controversial name in the college basketball world.
On Sunday, Joe Tipton of On3 reported that the Wildcats are showing interest in Trentyn Flowers, a former 5-star recruit who is currently on a two-way NBA contract with the Chicago Bulls. Michigan, Florida, and Kansas were also reported to be monitoring Flowers, setting up what could become a high-profile recruitment if he were to pursue a return to college basketball.
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However, it turns out the report was not accurate, so much so that On3 CEO Shannon Terry has apologized for the report.
In addition, Adam Zagoria reported that Kentucky was not expected to be in the mix for Flowers.
Flowers, now 20, has already taken an unconventional path. A member of the class of 2023 and ESPN’s No. 18 overall prospect, he decommitted from Louisville before ever playing a college game and instead signed with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s National Basketball League as part of the Next Stars program. At the time, Flowers cited long-term development and the chance to play point guard against professionals as the driving factors behind his decision.
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Since then, Flowers has reached the NBA, appearing in eight total games across stints with the Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls. In limited action, he has averaged 1.9 points in just over four minutes per game, showing efficiency in small samples while continuing to develop physically and skill-wise at the professional level.
Given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding NCAA eligibility rules for players with prior NBA experience, this doesn’t feel like something Kentucky should be putting any real effort into, and likely isn’t. Still, Flowers’ size (nearly 6-foot-8), versatility, and pedigree make him a name worth monitoring as roster construction evolves in the college basketball landscape, just not for Kentucky.
