Reports: Former Kentucky F Adou Thiero transferring to Arkansas

Field Level Media|published: Mon 6th May, 15:45 2024

Mar 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Adou Thiero (3) receives the ball during the NCAA first round practice session at PPG Paints Arena. credits: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Forward Adou Thiero will be the second former Kentucky player to follow coach John Calipari to Arkansas through the transfer portal, after he confirmed the move with multiple media outlets Monday.

Thiero, who made an official visit to Fayetteville, Ark., last Wednesday, considered staying at Kentucky as well as transferring to North Carolina, Indiana and Pittsburgh, near his hometown of Leetsdale, Pa.

"I started with Coach Cal and want to see it through with him," Thiero told ESPN. "Very excited to join the family and ready to get to work."

Former Wildcat Zvonimir Ivisic announced last month that he's transferring to Arkansas. Former Kentucky commitments and five-star incoming freshmen Karter Knox, Billy Richmond and Boogie Fland also followed Calipari to the Razorbacks.

Thiero started 19 of 25 games for the Wildcats this past season and averaged 7.2 points with 5.0 rebounds and 27 total blocked shots. He missed eight games due to a back injury.

In two seasons at Kentucky, Thiero averaged 5.0 points and 3.6 rebounds in 45 games (19 starts). He shot 46.6 percent from the field with 33 blocked shots.

The 6-foot-8 Thiero is projected as a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

"(Calapari is) known for putting guys in the NBA that also stay in the NBA and coach Kenny Payne, who is now with him again, was also there for some of those years," Thiero said. "After already playing for him and developing after two years, I feel that he knows my game and will put me in the right position to succeed and achieve my goals."

Arkansas also brought in transfer guard Johnell Davis from Florida Atlantic and center Jonas Aidoo from Tennessee.

—Field Level Media