Philly high school star Quade Green transferring from Kentucky
The former Neumann-Goretti star is leaving after seeing his minutes decline through the first nine games of his sophomore season.
Quade Green, a former Neumann-Goretti standout and five-star prospect, is leaving the Kentucky basketball program.
The sophomore point guard will transfer, but where he will land is not clear.
“I have loved my time at Kentucky and love Coach [John Calipari] and the staff,” said Green, according to a release from the school. “This was a difficult decision and one I didn’t take lightly. However, after talking with my family and the coaching staff, I just felt like it was best that I explore other opportunities for my athletic and academic future. I have enjoyed my time at Kentucky and I’ll never forget the Big Blue Nation for its love and its support.”
Calipari gave a statement to The Athletic indicating Green has his full support.
“We haven’t had many kids leave, but when we do, we always support them and, in just about every case, stay in touch with each other," he said. "I hope that will be the case with Quade.”
Green was heavily recruited out of Neumann-Goretti, where he helped the Saints win four straight state titles. He was named the Class 3A player of the year for two consecutive seasons and in 2017 was Philadelphia’s first McDonald’s All-American since 2009.
He settled on Kentucky over Syracuse and Villanova. In his freshman year in Lexington, Green started 13 games, all coming within the first 15 games of the season. He lost his starting spot at point guard to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (now in the NBA) and finished the season with 34 appearances, averaging 9.3 points and 25.6 minutes.
This season, Green didn’t start any of Kentucky’s first nine games. He averaged 17.8 minutes and 7.8 points.
After getting blown out by Duke in the season opener, the Wildcats lost to Seton Hall in overtime on Saturday, dropping their record to 7-2 and their ranking in the Associated Press poll to No. 19.
The Athletic reports that La Salle came up as a potential transfer destination when rumors about Green’s possibly transferring swirled during the summer.
» FROM THE ARCHIVES: Quade Green and Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree are playing ‘the virtual game’