Travis Perry Trying to Appreciate Recruiting Process as He Nears College Decision

Travis Perry will take another visit to Michigan in early November before making his college choice.

Travis Perry, Kentucky’s all-time leading high school scorer, is not rushing to make his college choice.

The 6-2 guard from Lyon County, a consensus top 100 player in his recruiting class, is balancing recruiting with making sure he continues to work on his game.

“The thing I am trying to keep at the forefront is basketball. I have got to keep working on my craft or these (recruiting) calls will stop,” Perry said. “I am taking time to appreciate the recruiting process and also consider all my options. Not all get to experience this.”

Perry broke King Kelly Coleman’s all-time scoring record last season and goes into this season with 4,359 points and 528 career 3-pointers, both state high school records.

“It is pretty neat to be called that (the state’s all-time leading scorer) but I am just trying to stay at it. I am trying to get better and make my teammates better. I cannot get the big head. I have to stay humble because there is a lot more we can accomplish,” Perry said. “For us the goal is to get back to Rupp Arena and win the state championship. That is the ultimate goal.”

Before then he’ll likely make his college decision. He’s been on visits to Purdue, Western Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Kentucky recently. He has been impressed with the way new Ole Miss coach Chris Beard “does things” and enjoyed his visit there. He will also make trips to Cincinnati and Michigan before making his college decision.

Perry was at Big Blue Madness Friday and stayed for the Kentucky-Missouri football game Saturday night.

He was also at Kentucky one day of his fall break to watch practice.

“I also got to talk to (freshman) Reed (Sheppard) a little bit and see how he is developing,” Perry said.

Perry continues to emphasize that “relationships” with the head coach and staff will be a huge factor in where he picks to play in college.

“Style of play is important and I want to go where the coach and players want to win as badly as I do and are willing to work toward that goal,” Perry said. “But I have to be where I feel at home. My parents tell me you will be staying there by yourself and I have to know I will wake up happy every day.”

Perry noted some coaches have come to Lyon County in western Kentucky to have breakfast with him. He’s played golf with coaches on his home course.

“That is something very important that a coach wants to spend time with me and the people important to me,” Perry said. “You don’t have to worry about whether that person wants you there because you know they want you.”

Perry said his opportunity to visit schools and watch practice has enabled him to see things he can do better and work on daily.

“I am just trying to stay grounded and help get me and my guys better,” Perry said. “We are going to have a lot of sophomores playing big roles for us this year. We have a good team and I don’t want to let anything about my recruiting keep us from getting better. So while I am enjoying all the coaches recruiting me,  I also want to make sure my team gets better.