Q&A: Skyy Clark explains decision to decommit from Kentucky with KSR

Kentucky guard signee Skyy Clark has reopened his recruitment, requesting to be released from his letter of intent and officially parting ways with the Wildcats on Sunday.

What led to the standout guard’s decision to pursue other options? Clark sat down with KSR shortly after the announcement to discuss his decommitment and what comes next in his recruitment.

What led to your decision to decommit from the University of Kentucky?

It was a lot of thinking and a lot of praying, but it has nothing to do with anything Coach Cal, the assistant coaches, or anything UK did. They’ve been nothing but supportive through this whole process. I just had a lot of time to sit around and think. Since watching the team and the way the roster is looking for next season, I haven’t really seen a fit for myself.

Also, since I’ve been back from my injury — I tore my ACL, which people know. What I didn’t put out is I actually broke my hand earlier in February, so I haven’t really felt like my pre-injury self. The Skyy that everybody knows, I haven’t really felt like that physically and mentally. To be at a place like Kentucky, with everything — you’ve got to be on your A-game every day. Like I said, this has nothing to do with playing for Coach Cal or anything, because that’s always been my dream since I started playing basketball. But I just really wanted to step back and assess myself and my options and see if it was still the best situation for me.

What I’ve learned is basketball is more than a game now, it’s a business. I just want to do what’s best for me going forward.

How much did your injury play a part of it, especially from a mental standpoint?

The mental side of everything with the injury has been really tough, especially with something like an ACL. Just having to trust your knee again, because you basically have a whole new knee. One of the girls basketball players at our school, Jordana (Codio), she unfortunately just tore her ACL for the second time on the same knee recently. And then watching the Super Bowl, Odell Beckham just tore his ACL again. I think it was the same knee.

So just seeing that, that definitely wasn’t easy coming straight off an ACL injury. I didn’t take the whole nine months, so it just gets me thinking a lot. Just building back my confidence with everything, and it started to come back those last few games before I broke my hand. Then I break my hand and I’m out for another few weeks. It’s just been a lot to take on. But it’s only gonna build me, my strength, mentally.

You talk about the roster makeup and fit, said that played a part in your decision, as well. What about that exactly made you take a step back and reconsider things?

It was just really — I just didn’t see a fit anymore. Especially, like I said, coming back off the ACL (injury), I haven’t really been feeling the most confident in myself. I really just wanted to step back and make sure I was doing the right thing.

Kentucky was your dream school from the start, you’ve been locked in with the program for the better part of two years now. From that standpoint, was it difficult to part ways from a program and a fanbase you’ve been so close with?

It was really hard. I’ve been praying and thinking about this for a long time now. For a few months, actually. It was not easy, one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made in my life. Coach Cal, the coaching staff, the fanbase, they’ve all been so supportive throughout the whole thing. I just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing for myself, the best thing for myself — and honestly for the program, as well.

What’s the next step for you guys?

The next step is a lot of prayer, doing a lot of research. UK isn’t off the table, I just want to make sure I’m doing the best thing for myself. But yeah, doing a lot of prayer and a lot of research. I probably won’t make a decision till maybe the middle of May, just want to give myself a lot of time to educate myself on everything. I want to do what’s best for me.

What are you looking for in your next destination?

Just a school I can come to and know I’m going to develop, I’m going to be pushed. Where I know I’m confident in the coaching staff and my ability, what I can do. Really just take a lot of time to pray. I’ll know what the right move is because the one thing I know is God will never leave me. I know if I put my trust in him and just really focus these next few weeks, I know he’ll lead me to the right place.

Is the pro route an option for you?

Yes, the pro route is definitely an option that I’ll be considering. Overtime hit my dad up today, and I believe Rod Strickland (with the NBA G-League Ignite) sent my dad a text earlier today, as well.

Are there any schools you are particularly interested in? Have any reached out to you yet about joining their respective programs?

Everything’s on the table right now. Every school has a fair shot. We’re just really taking the time and — you know, I just decommitted, so I don’t want to make any moves right now (laughs). We’re just taking it all in, taking our time with it.

You were very close with Joel Justus, he was instrumental in your decision to commit to Kentucky in the first place. With him at Arizona State, is that a situation that appeals to you?

Me and Coach Justus, we’re still tight. He’s always been there for me, even after he was not at Kentucky. Yeah, Coach Justus, that’s definitely something that could happen.

Do you have a parting message for Big Blue Nation?

I just wanted to say I appreciate you all, I still love you all. Thank you all for everything. It doesn’t mean this is the end. I just want to make sure I’m doing what’s best for me, my family and my career.