Breaking News: Just Minutes Ago, ESPN Announces Tyrese Proctor’s Commitment to Kentucky After Rejecting Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee Volunteers, Texas, and Others
Lexington, KY – May 22, 2025
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball landscape, five-star Australian guard Tyrese Proctor has officially committed to the University of Kentucky, ending months of feverish speculation. ESPN broke the story moments ago, confirming that Proctor, a silky 6’5″ playmaker with a lethal jumper and elite vision, spurned powerhouse programs including Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee Volunteers, Texas, and even international pro options, to don the iconic Kentucky blue.
The announcement came via a nationally televised segment on SportsCenter, where Proctor, seated beside his family and longtime trainer in a packed Sydney gym, unzipped a neutral gray hoodie to reveal a crisp Kentucky Wildcats jersey. The room erupted. “I’m built for the bright lights,” he said, grinning confidently. “Coach Cal knows how to get dogs to the League.”
This moment marks a full-circle triumph for Kentucky head coach John Calipari, who courted Proctor relentlessly over the past year, even flying to Sydney twice—once during Christmas—to attend one of Proctor’s games at the FIBA U19 Asia Cup. Calipari’s persistence paid off, particularly after Proctor decommitted from Duke last season to re-evaluate his options. Insiders say the Wildcats’ pitch emphasized more than just tradition and NBA pedigree—it sold a vision of ownership, of Proctor leading a revamped Kentucky roster built around pace, space, and global appeal.
“We didn’t promise him a role,” said assistant coach Chin Coleman during an exclusive ESPN follow-up interview. “We promised him a stage. Tyrese Proctor is ready to headline college basketball.”
The decision stings for Alabama, widely seen as the front-runner until last week. Sources close to the program say Proctor was “90% Bama-bound” before a late-night call with Coach Calipari flipped the momentum. Georgia, fresh off a Sweet 16 run, made a compelling pitch centered around NIL opportunities and academic support, while Tennessee offered an NBA-style defensive system tailor-made for Proctor’s versatility. Texas, meanwhile, attempted to woo him with glitz—private jet tours, celebrity Zoom calls (including Kevin Durant), and a seven-figure NIL package rumored to be laced with sneaker endorsements.
But in the end, Proctor chose legacy.
“I’ve played all over the world,” Proctor said. “But Kentucky? That’s where legends are born. I’m trying to be next.”
Reaction from the college basketball world was immediate and thunderous. Social media exploded with takes, with former Wildcats like De’Aaron Fox, Jamal Murray, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander welcoming Proctor to the brotherhood. ESPN analyst Jay Bilas tweeted: “Proctor to Kentucky is a seismic shift. This kid could be a Top-3 NBA pick. Cal just landed the next big thing.”
Proctor now becomes the crown jewel in Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class, joining McDonald’s All-Americans Noah Bryant and Javonte Ellis. The trio has already been nicknamed the “New Blue Bloodline,” with Proctor expected to slot in as the lead guard and offensive anchor.
As fans flooded campus stores to snatch up Proctor jerseys and social media roared with celebratory memes and predictions, it became crystal clear: the Big Blue Nation is back.
And with Tyrese Proctor at the helm, they might just be unstoppable.
