BOMBSHEEL: Key Kentucky Forward Officially Rejects Transfer And Announce Retirement To Stay With Wife And Children

BOMBSHEEL: Key Kentucky Forward Officially Rejects Transfer And Announce Retirement To Stay With Wife And Children

Mark Pope rumored to be targeting 5-star PF Kentucky fans would welcome with open arms
Despite having just signed a strong frontcourt option, Mark Pope’s work in the paint may just be getting started.

Patience truly is a virtue, Big Blue Nation, in spite of how grueling a wait during recruiting season can be. In the wake of a particularly long, ongoing stretch of days with little to no news, Mark Pope made a more than worthwhile move on the international front.

In the chase for frontcourt talent, Kentucky received a commitment from Senegalese forward Ousmane N’Diaye. The overseas prospect is seemingly set to come in and start at the four-spot alongside Malachi Moreno; having drawn NBA Draft noise on a number of occasions, the pickup looks really solid for the Wildcats, although much worse remains in filling out the rest of the roster.

That’s where the latest rumor in the ever-churning mill comes in. Per BigBlueDylan, Kentucky is circling back around on five-star forward Miikka Muurinen who, after traveling overseas to play professionally, is firmly in the college hoops discussion.

Kentucky Engaging Miikka Muurinen
Muurinen is a sort of unicorn prospect that Pope could really plug in anywhere. He’s a spry, 6-foot-10 forward with a dangerous downhill ability. Take one look at one of this guy’s driving dunks and get back to me, Cats fans.

His statistics with Finland aren’t dominant (six points and two boards per contest), but when you factor in Muurinen’s physical intangibles, as well as the fact that he’s just 19 years old, the bigger picture is quickly painted. His leading five-star status suddenly makes sense, as does his laundry list of high-major offers.

NEW: Kentucky is re-engaging with 5 F Miikka Muurinen and his camp, and apparently have been since The Nike Hoop Summit.
Duke, Michigan, Arkansas, and Indiana, in addition to Kentucky, have extended papers to the prospect; he’s a big-ticket name that, after seeing two supposed visits to Lexington fall through, seemed off the board for the Wildcats.

But Pope and his staff, potentially rejuvenated by their latest pledge, are coming in hot. Muurinen, if the rumor proves true, could be where the staff wants to strike next on the recruiting front.

An international Source familiar with Miikka’s recruitment tells me a visit to Lexington could be back on the table as well.