Clara Silva put a "no contact" tag on her entry in the transfer portal. (Vicky Graff Photos)
A lot of things went well for coach Kenny Brooks in his first season at Kentucky as the Cats went 11-5 in Southeastern Conference play, earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament and finished 23-8 despite an overtime loss to Kansas State in the NCAA second round.
However, in today’s college basketball world, turnover is routine and Kentucky had two players enter the transfer portal Tuesday less than 48 hours after UK’s season-ending loss.
Clara Silva, a 6-7 freshman center from Portugal, and Saniah Tyler, a 5-6 junior guard, both put their names in the transfer portal with Silva including the “no contact” indicator.
Tyler, a four-star prospect out of high school, played sparingly as a freshman but averaged 10.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per game as a sophomore with 12 starts. However, playing behind All-American Georgia Amoore and transfer Dazia Lawrence in the backcourt this season her playing time and production dropped dramatically even though Brooks praised her often the second half of the season.
“To my teammates — words cannot express how much you all mean to me. This year has been so unbelievably special, and it’s because of each and every one of you. The bonds we’ve created, the battles we’ve fought together, and the memories we’ve made will stay with me forever,” Tyler posted on social media.
“And to Big Blue Nation — your unwavering support has meant the world to me. The love and encouragement you’ve shown me throughout my journey here is something I will always be grateful for.”
With veteran transfer guards Jordan Obi or Dominika Paurová both expected back after missing this season with injuries, Tyler obviously thought her chances for extended playing time might be limited again.
Silva was a late arrival on campus just before school started but averaged 4.0 points and 2.6 rebounds as a true freshman. An offseason strength program figured to enhance her ability to have an even bigger role for UK next year even with the return of Clara Strack, one of the nation’s best sophomores this year.
After Kentucky’s first round NCAA win over Liberty, I asked Silva how her first year at UK had gone.
“I think it’s always hard to adjust, but it’s been good because I’m surrounded by good people,” Silva said.
She admitted she had to get stronger and also play with more confidence.
“I am spending a lot of time trying to get stronger,” she said.
I also asked her about playing for Brooks
“He’s great. I think he’s so smart, he understands the game, and it’s been great playing for him,” Silva said.
She also learned a lot from Amoore she said would help her “going forward” in her career.
“I think the biggest thing about her is that she wants everything to be included, and that’s been really good. She’s great and a great leader on this team that has taught me a lot,” Silva said.
Apparently, despite what Silva said Friday, playing for Brooks was not that “great” and lessons learned from Amoore were not ones she felt would work at Kentucky.
It’s also easy to assume that since Silva transferred so quickly after UK’s season-ending loss and asked schools not to contact her that she already had a destination in mind even before UK played in the NCAA Tournament.
One Response
Hate to see Tyler go but maybe addition by subtraction. Silva didn’t seem to have a lot of "want to"