Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope caught up with KSR recently to discuss some offseason moves for the Wildcats, one of which was Travis Perry’s departure.
Pope made it clear in his interview that Perry’s decision to transfer to Ole Miss this offseason was purely his own. Pope said he was devastated to learn that the Kentucky native was entering his name into the transfer portal.
But in the end, Perry felt his move to play for the Rebels was best for him and his future in college basketball.
Pope went into depth on KSR, speaking about him and Perry’s final conversation.
“When he told me he was leaving, we were actually having an ongoing conversation, and I was trying to help him see what I saw,” said Pope. “We just didn’t get to the same place. It was devastating to me. It hurts my soul now. I desperately wanted him to stay.
“Travis Perry loves Kentucky, so that’s when I say I want to be sensitive — like, he loves Kentucky. I would never want to put words in his mouth, but I think, probably, he was not feeling super confident about the path for him here at Kentucky, being exactly what he wanted out of the game of basketball, maybe.”
Pope had many positive things to say about Perry and his basketball career. The Wildcats head coach spoke about his spectacular high school basketball career and wished him nothing but the best at Ole Miss and beyond.
Pope explained during the interview that he believed Perry could have been a big piece to this team. Alas, he’s now set to suit up for the Rebels
