Washington Hosting Kentucky Hoops Transfer Marcus Lee
Kentucky basketball transfer Marcus Lee remains on an unofficial visit to Washington, sources told Rivals.com on Thursday. Lee began his visit Wednesday following an official visit to California on Tuesday.
Lee, who was a junior for the Wildcats during the 2015-16 season, declared for the NBA Draft but rescinded his name from consideration before the withdraw deadline. He decided to transfer from Kentucky and most reports indicated he was heading to Cal.
ESPN Basketball Insider Jeff Goodman reported Thursday that Lee was told be several NBA teams he would be a guaranteed second-round selection in the 2016 Draft, making $500,000. However, Lee elected to transfer with UW and Cal as the two schools likeliest to sign him.
However, with the departures of Marquse Chriss and DeJounte Murray to the draft, and Andrew Andrews to graduation, the Huskies have scholarships available. UW already used one to sign former UNLV strong forward commit Carlos Johnson.
If the Huskies were to sign the Kentucky transfer, he would have to sit out one year due to NCAA transfer rules, and then be eligible for the 2017-18 season. While Lee would not have the chance to play with incoming going guard Markelle Fultz, who is expected to be a one-and-done player at UW, he would have a potentially impressive freshman group around him.
Michael Porter Jr., the No.2 overall prospect in 2017, is widely expected to sign with Washington after his father, Michael Porter Sr., was hired by UW last month. Huskies' Head Coach Lorenzo Romar is the Godfather to Porter Jr. as well, with his younger brother Jontay Porter already committed to Washington.
The Huskies are also in good shape with several other recruits in the 2017 class, outside of Porter Jr. Sources did not indicate if, having not committed to Cal during his visit to Berkeley, Washington have become the favorite to sign the UK transfer.
Lee finished his junior season under Wildcats Head Coach John Calipari averaging 6.4 points per game and six rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game.