Signee Skyy Clark no longer wants to be a Wildcat

There was a time that Skyy Clark was going to be the centerpiece of Kentucky’s 2022 recruiting class. The 6-2 point guard said Kentucky was his dream school and has been committed to UK for about 18 months. Or he had been until Sunday when he announced on social media that he was no longer committed to Kentucky even though he signed with the Wildcats in November.

He originally picked UK over North Carolina, UCLA, and Memphis and has been a five-star prospect his entire high school career. He tore his anterior cruciate ligament last summer after he missed most of the 2020-21 season due to COVID concerns.

The 6-2 Clark transferred to Montverde Academy (Florida) for this season and is ranked No. 25 in the ESPN 100.

However, Clark confirmed to Jack Pilgrim of Kentucky Sports Radio Sunday that he “didn’t see a fit anymore” at Kentucky. That would seem to translate to meaning he felt current UK point guard Sahvir Wheeler would be back and UK has also said McDonald’s All-American Cason Wallace, another point guard.

Clark told Pilgrim he had no problems with John Calipari, the UK coaching staff or UK fans.

“I just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing for myself, the best thing for myself — and honestly for the program,” Clark told Pilgrim.

He was recruited to UK by Joel Justus, who is now an assistant coach at Arizona State. Clark confirmed that could be a possible destination. He also said playing professionally could be an option and already had heard from two pro leagues Sunday. However, he doesn’t plan to make any decision on where he’ll play next season until mid-May.

This is the second straight year a Kentucky point guard signee has changed his mind. It was Nolan Hickman in 2021 and that led UK to sign TyTy Washington. Calipari and his staff will now be looking for another guard — probably in the transfer portal — knowing that Kellan Grady and Davion Mintz will be out of eligibility and Washington likely will head to the NBA.

If Clark felt he was not going to play — or not play as much in a star role as he wanted — at Kentucky next season, then it is better for him and UK to move on today. Or maybe he’s just not convinced he’s going to be fully healthy and can meet expectations UK fans have.

“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,” Clark told Pilgrim when asked about what message he had for UK fans.

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You can read the full interview with Clark here: https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/qa-skyy-clark-explains-decision-to-decommit-from-kentucky-with-ksr/