Report: Blackshear Decision Expected “As Early as Sunday”

It was reported earlier this week that Virginia Tech grad transfer Kerry Blackshear Jr. had “narrowed his choices” down to Tennessee and Kentucky. Now, it looks like a decision from the most coveted grad transfer in men’s basketball could be coming soon.

According to Evan Daniels of 247Sports, not only is Blackshear not expected to take any more official visits, but a decision could come “as early as Sunday.”

Sources: Kerry Blackshear, the best available transfer, isn’t expected to take any more official visits. The growing thought is he’s extremely close to announcing his decision, which could come as early as Sunday.

— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) June 22, 2019

Blackshear took official visits to Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky, and many thought he would take a visit to Texas A&M this weekend. That doesn’t seem to be the case now, however, and Blackshear could be close to committing to a school for his final year of eligibility.

The 6-foot-10, 250-pound forward/center announced his decision to transfer off Virginia Tech’s roster after head coach Buzz Williams left to take the head coaching job at Texas A&M this offseason. Since then, it’s been a free-for-all for his services.

Blackshear put his name in the 2019 NBA Draft pool and went through the whole draft process, much like Tennessee’s Grant Williams and Jordan Bone. But unlike Williams and Bone, Blackshear withdrew his name from the draft pool and elected to come back to college for one more season.

Teams all over the college basketball world pursued Blackshear, but it appears the process is finally nearing a conclusion as the month of June winds down.

Last season, Blackshear averaged 14.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting 50.8 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three, and 73.6 percent from the free throw line in 35 games. Blackshear was named a Second-Team All-ACC performer for the Hokies.

Blackshear was second on the team in points per game and first in rebounds per game for Virginia Tech this past season. He also led the team in total blocks with 27. Blackshear’s efforts helped lead Virginia Tech to the most wins in a single season in program history, and the Hokies reached only their second Sweet Sixteen ever in school history.

In Virginia Tech’s three NCAA Tournament games against Liberty, St. Louis, and Duke, Blackshear averaged 17.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. During the season, Blackshear eclipsed the 20-point mark seven different times and recorded nine double-doubles. He has 13 career double-doubles.

Blackshear is considered one of the best passing big men in college basketball, and he racked up four or more assists in nine games this season. He was actually third on the team in assists per game, finishing behind guards Justin Robinson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Right now, the Vols have all of their scholarship spots full for the upcoming 2019-20 season. That means that in order for Tennessee to add Blackshear — if he does, indeed, choose the Vols — someone off the current roster would have to transfer.

Tennessee has already had one player transfer off the team this offseason. Forward Derrick Walker announced his decision to transfer to Nebraska last month. The Vols also lost starting center Kyle Alexander and starting forward Grant Williams to the NBA Draft, leaving their frontcourt with a lot of holes and questions.

The Vols are right at the 13 scholarship limit for the 2019-20 season after signing four players in their 2019 recruiting class and adding two transfers this offseason. Tennessee signed five-star guard Josiah Jordan-James, four-star forward Olivia Robinson-Nkamhoua, three-star forward Drew Pember, and three-star small forward Davonte Gaines in their 2019 signing class, and the Vols also brought in Arizona State center Uros Plavsic and Oregon guard Victory Bailey Jr. as transfers.