Kentucky reaches out to Kansas transfer Zuby Ejiofor

Over 40 schools have reached out to Kansas transfer big Zuby Ejiofor, who entered the portal back on May 5. Among them? The University of Kentucky, expressing interest in the 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward while the program waits on Oscar Tshiebwe to make a final decision.

Testing the NBA Draft waters, Tshiebwe has until May 31 to withdraw from the draft and return to school. Should he keep his name in, there could be a potential fit with Ejiofor.

“The coaching staff just called to touch base and to let us know that they will come after Zuby if Oscar doesn’t come back,” a source close to the Kansas transfer told KSR.

Adam Zagoria of ZAGSBLOG was the first to report news of Kentucky’s interest.

Ejiofor currently has four visits scheduled, making trips to see Villanova from May 11-13, St. John’s from May 13-15, TCU on May 27 and San Diego State from May 28-30.

The native of Garland, Texas — home of former Wildcat Tyrese Maxey — averaged 1.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 5.2 minutes as a freshman at Kansas. Playing in just 25 total games, he hit the double-figure minute mark four times — 10 vs. Duke, 11 vs. Texas Southern, 12 vs. Indiana and 10 vs. Oklahoma State. He finished with two points, five rebounds and two blocks against the Blue Devils, eight points, two rebounds and a block against the Hoosiers, and four points and three rebounds against the Cowboys.

Ejiofor saw limited playing time against Kentucky this past season, recording two points and a rebound in four minutes.

A consensus four-star prospect out of high school, he was rated as the No. 51 overall prospect and No. 7 power forward in the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. The versatile forward originally chose Kansas over Arkansas, Oklahoma, TCU and Texas, among others.

Will the Wildcats ramp things up? Not if Tshiebwe ultimately decides to return. Things could get interesting, though, if the former national player of the year keeps his name in the draft.