Most of the 2024-25 Kentucky basketball season is over, but there are still four scholarship spots remaining. As such, Kentucky will likely be willing to take advantage of nearly every available option that comes up over the next month to fill that final spot.
There's a new player to watch in UCLA Bruins forward Berk Büyüktuncel, who entered the transfer portal on Tuesday.
John Rothstein said Kentucky is one of many schools that have reached out to Burke, including Virginia, Ohio State, Louisville, Washington State and Iowa State.
Source: Berke Buyuktuncel, a transfer from UCLA, has received interest from several schools, including the following programs:
nebraska
Virginia
cincinnati
Washington
Butler
Ohio
oklahoma
kentucky
BYU
iowa
Louisville— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 3, 2024
Burke, a 2023 signee from Turkey, was ranked 36th overall and seventh among power forwards in his class, according to 247Sports. He has represented his country in international basketball competitions and helped Turkey to a third-place finish at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in the summer of 2023.
The 6-foot-9, 245-pound averaged 4.5 points, 38.5 percent shooting (29.7 percent from 3-point range) and 2.5 rebounds per game in 26 games (eight starts) last season. Recorded. He attempted 37 threes on the season and connected on 11, so he has the ability to stretch the floor, something coach Mark Pope valued in making contact frontcourt moves.
Kentucky's frontcourt next season will rely heavily on Amari Williams, Andrew Carr and Brandon Garrison, so Burke is a good option as a fourth big man competing for an eighth or ninth man type. There is a possibility that it will happen. role.
It remains to be seen whether Burke is open to such a role or wants more playing time at a smaller program, but we do know that Kentucky has some interest in his contributions.
Check out the real Burke highlights!
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