Trentyn Flowers’ College Rumor Sparks Brief Buzz-But Kentucky’s Not Biting
For a moment, it looked like Kentucky Basketball might be dipping its toes into a surprising recruitment storyline. Over the weekend, reports surfaced linking the Wildcats to Trentyn Flowers-a name that still turns heads in college hoops circles, both for his talent and his unconventional path. But as quickly as the rumor caught fire, it was extinguished.
Joe Tipton of On3 initially reported that Kentucky was expressing interest in Flowers, who’s currently signed to a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls. Michigan, Florida, and Kansas were also mentioned as potential suitors, setting the stage for what could’ve been a high-profile return to the college game.
But that scenario never had legs. On3 CEO Shannon Terry later issued an apology, clarifying that the report was inaccurate.
Adam Zagoria followed up, noting that Kentucky was never expected to be in the mix for Flowers.
So where does that leave things? Let’s take a step back and look at the player behind the headlines.
Flowers, now 20, was one of the top prospects in the 2023 class-No. 18 overall, per ESPN. He originally committed to Louisville but never suited up for the Cardinals.
Instead, he made a bold move overseas, signing with the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s NBL as part of the league’s Next Stars program. His goal?
Develop his game against professionals and showcase his skills at point guard-something he felt he wouldn’t have the chance to do in the traditional college system.
That gamble helped him reach the NBA, albeit in a limited role so far. Between the Clippers and Bulls, Flowers has appeared in eight total games, averaging 1.9 points in just over four minutes per contest. It’s a small sample size, but there have been flashes-efficiency in spurts, and continued growth in his frame and skill set.
Still, the idea of Flowers returning to college hoops raises more questions than answers, especially when it comes to NCAA eligibility rules for players with prior NBA experience. That gray area likely makes him a non-starter for most programs, Kentucky included.
From a pure basketball standpoint, there’s no denying what Flowers brings to the table. At nearly 6-foot-8, he’s a versatile wing with guard skills, a strong pedigree, and international experience.
If he ever does explore a return to college, he’ll draw interest. But as of now, Kentucky’s not part of that conversation-and barring a major shift, they won’t be.
For Big Blue Nation, this was a headline worth monitoring-but not one worth worrying about. The Wildcats have their eyes on other targets as they continue shaping a roster built for deep March runs.