A former seven-foot player from Kentucky has logged into the transfer site.
A Former Seven-Foot Player from Kentucky Has Logged Into the Transfer Site
The college basketball transfer portal continues to heat up, and one of the more intriguing names to surface this week is that of Aaron Bradshaw, the former five-star, seven-foot center from the University of Kentucky. According to multiple reports, Bradshaw has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, sending shockwaves across the college basketball world and igniting interest from top programs nationwide.
Bradshaw, who was one of the crown jewels of Kentucky’s highly-ranked 2023 recruiting class, spent just one season in Lexington. Though his time with the Wildcats didn’t quite live up to the immense hype, his potential remains sky-high—and with a fresh start at a new program, the athletic big man could be poised for a breakout sophomore campaign.
A Turbulent Year in Lexington
Aaron Bradshaw came to Kentucky with massive expectations. A McDonald’s All-American and consensus top-10 prospect out of Camden High School in New Jersey, Bradshaw was viewed as the next great Wildcat big man, drawing comparisons to NBA lottery picks like Anthony Davis and Willie Cauley-Stein. He committed to head coach John Calipari with the intention of being a one-and-done contributor on both ends of the floor.
But things didn’t go as planned.
Bradshaw missed the first portion of the 2023–24 season due to a foot injury suffered during the offseason. By the time he returned to action in December, Kentucky had already established a smaller, faster-paced lineup that didn’t necessarily fit Bradshaw’s traditional skill set. While he did flash moments of brilliance—particularly on the defensive end—his minutes and production were inconsistent.
He finished his freshman year averaging 5.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game in just under 18 minutes of action per contest. While those numbers might appear modest, they came in a limited role and without a full offseason to prepare. Still, as the season wore on, it became clear that Bradshaw and Kentucky might be heading in different directions.
A New Era at Kentucky Sparks Change
John Calipari’s departure from Kentucky to take the Arkansas head coaching job was a major domino that set off a chain reaction. With assistant coaches exploring other opportunities, multiple players from Kentucky’s roster either declared for the NBA Draft or entered the transfer portal.
Bradshaw’s decision was expected by many in the college basketball community, even before Calipari’s departure. But the coaching change likely expedited the process. Kentucky has since hired Mark Pope, formerly the head coach at BYU, to lead the program forward. While Pope is known for his big-man development, Bradshaw had reportedly been exploring transfer options prior to Pope’s hire.
According to sources close to the situation, Bradshaw is seeking a program that can offer both stability and a system more tailored to his style of play.
What Bradshaw Brings to the Table
Despite a rocky freshman season, Aaron Bradshaw remains one of the most physically gifted players in the college game. At 7-foot-0 with a 7-foot-5 wingspan and elite mobility, he’s the kind of rim protector who can anchor a defense. His timing on shot contests, his ability to switch on ball screens, and his rebounding instincts are all advanced for his age.
Offensively, Bradshaw is still developing. He has shown glimpses of a reliable mid-range jumper and has even experimented with shooting threes. His footwork in the post is improving, and he has the touch and hands to finish around the basket. With the right coaching and system, he could easily blossom into a double-double threat and one of the top big men in the country.
NBA scouts haven’t given up on him, either. One scout who evaluated Bradshaw in high school told ESPN this week: “He still has lottery upside. He just needs the reps and the right role. You can’t teach what he has physically.”
Who’s in the Mix?
Now that Bradshaw is in the portal, several major programs are expected to express interest quickly. Schools like North Carolina, UConn, Kansas, and Auburn have already been linked in early speculation. Each of those programs has a recent track record of developing big men and competing on the national stage.
A return to Kentucky, while technically still an option, appears unlikely given the timing of his portal entry and the desire for a clean slate.
There is also growing speculation that Arkansas, now led by Calipari, could be a dark horse to land Bradshaw. Though the move would be unconventional, it’s not out of the realm of possibility considering the pre-existing relationship between player and coach.
Meanwhile, programs with more immediate frontcourt opportunities may present the best fit for Bradshaw. Teams that play through their bigs and emphasize half-court execution could give him the platform to shine.
A Portal Headliner
Bradshaw’s entrance into the transfer portal makes him one of the most sought-after players available. Given his pedigree, potential, and defensive prowess, he’s expected to be courted heavily over the next few weeks. His decision could have ripple effects throughout college basketball, particularly for teams seeking to shore up their interior presence for a title run in 2025.
As one college coach told The Athletic, “He’s the kind of guy you bring in, and suddenly your defense is top-10. You build around him.”
Bradshaw has not publicly announced a list of finalists or a timeline for his decision. However, with the spring semester winding down and summer workouts on the horizon, a commitment is likely to come sometime in May.
The Next Chapter
For Aaron Bradshaw, this transfer represents a second chance to fulfill the promise he showed as a high school star. After a year of setbacks and uncertainty, the seven-footer now has the opportunity to take control of his path and remind everyone why he was once considered a future NBA lottery pick.
The question now becomes: where will he land, and who will help him unlock that potential?
