Kentucky is back in the grad transfer market.
Former Bucknell forward Nate Sestina announced his intention to transfer to the Wildcats through his Twitter account Thursday. He will be immediately eligible to play next season for Kentucky, which was eliminated from the 2019 NCAA Tournament in the Elite Eight by Auburn on Sunday. This is the second time in as many years that Kentucky coach John Calipari has landed one of the top graduate transfers. Forward Reid Travis played the 2018-19 season with Kentucky after spending his first four collegiate seasons with Stanford.
It’s been an amazing ride from Emporium to Bucknell and everywhere in between, and it’s surreal to think my college basketball career isn’t over yet.
— Nate Sestina (@NateSestina23) April 4, 2019
I’m humbled to get started with @KentuckyMBB! Need to thank God, my family, my coaches, teammates and @UKCoachCalipari #BBN pic.twitter.com/JS3ZKqIS4e
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Sestina averaged 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game last season for the Bison and shot over 50 percent from the field. His announcement comes at a pivotal time for the Wildcats, who await several NBA Draft decisions, including those of PJ Washington, Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro.
In the event they do lose one or more of those players to the draft, the Wildcats have restocked through recruiting. Five-star recruits Kahlil Whitney (No. 7 in 247Sports' rankings), Tyrese Maxey (No. 9) and Keion Brooks (No. 23), as well as four-star Dontaie Allen (No. 108), will join Sestina in Lexington.
Kentucky's 2019 class is ranked No. 2 overall in the country.