Skip to main content

Kentucky Makes Top Five for SDSU Transfer Keshad Johnson

Johnson averaged a career-high 7.7 points and 5.0 boards last season.

Kentucky went all out for Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson, but it came up empty, as the center chose Kansas over the Wildcats, among others. 

Now, head coach John Calipari and the Cats are without a transfer portal addition, waiting on multiple players to make decisions amidst the NBA draft waters and are trying to build a roster for the 2023-24 season. 

UK has been mentioned with a few players since the portal opened, but a new name came out of the blue on Friday night, and it seems like a transfer to Lexington could be close. Entering his final season of eligibility, San Diego State forward Keshad Johnson is seeking a new home, and Kentucky has made his final five schools, along with Texas Tech, USC, Arizona and Oklahoma. 

24/7 High School Hoops was the first to report the news:

Johnson is currently testing the NBA draft waters, but is also considering a return to college ball at a new program. The 6-foot-7, 225-pounder played four seasons at SDSU, totaling 113 games and 71 starts. In those games, he averaged 5.8 points and 4.0 rebounds. 

As a senior in the 2022-23 season, he averaged a career-high 7.7 points and 5.0 boards. The Oakland, Calif. native scored double-digit points in 13 games last season and was apart of the Atzecs team that made a surprise run to the National Championship game. He scored 14 points and had four rebounds and an assist in the loss to UConn. 

Johnson was the No. 300 overall player in the 2019 class, per 24/7 Sports Composite. He had offers from Nevada, Cincinnati, Georgetown and Washington State before choosing San Diego State. He wasn't linked to Kentucky upon first entering the portal, but the Wildcats are now in the running for the wing that could be an important addition for next season if he were to come to Lexington. 

5-star center Flory Bidunga working to schedule Kentucky visit

Kentucky interested in former Texas commit Ron Holland

Former Kentucky point guard Sahvir Wheeler transferring to Washington

Inside Kentucky basketball's somber locker room after NCAA Tourney defeat HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

Sports Illustrated also offers insight, information and up to the minute details for gamblers. Check it out here.