Kentucky visit will "probably" happen for Miami (FL) transfer Wooga Poplar, per report

Kentucky visit will “probably” happen for Miami (FL) transfer Wooga Poplar, per report

Posted by Admin April 30, 2024 Basketball

Miami (FL) transfer Wooga Poplar is one of the top players to enter the portal this offseason. He’s now heavily considering a visit to Kentucky.

According to Adam Zagoria of Zagsblog, Poplar will “probably visit” the Wildcats after hearing from the coaching staff. Zagoria adds that Poplar’s father said “they want him” in reference to Kentucky. It was reported last week by Dushawn London of 247Sports that UK was one of many schools to reach out to Poplar since he went into the portal on April 25.

As a junior at Miami (FL) in 2023-24, Poplar averaged 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 31.1 minutes per game. The 6-foot-5 guard started all 29 games for the Hurricanes while shooting 42.6 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from deep (5.6 attempts per game), and 86.4 percent from the line.

The likes of Arkansas (John Calipari) and St. John’s (Rick Pitino) have also reached out, according to Zagoria.

Poplar already has 100 college games under his belt through three seasons. He played 34 games as a freshman in 2021-22, albeit in a limited role with per-game averages of 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds in 8.6 minutes. His production jumped as a sophomore in 2022-23. Poplar averaged 8.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.1 steals in 23.5 minutes per outing while starting 36 of 37 games played.

Poplar was a key piece in leading Miami to the Final Four in 2023. During seven postseason games that year (two ACC Tournament, five NCAA Tournament), he averaged 9.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 26 minutes per contest. The Hurricanes ultimately lost to eventual champion UConn in the national semifinals.

Kentucky fans will likely remember Poplar from his impressive performance inside Rupp Arena early on in the 2023-24 season. Although Miami did not live up to lofty preseason standards, they entered that game as a Top 10 team in the country. Poplar finished with 19 points (7-11 FG), eight rebounds, and two steals in 31 minutes despite a 93-75 loss to the Wildcats.

Poplar is ranked No. 28 overall in On3’s transfer portal rankings. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.