Former Kentucky forward Khalil Whitney is reportedly looking to return to college basketball after several high-profile roster moves opened new doors for athletes.
Whitney, who played 18 games for the Wildcats in 2019-20 before departing mid-year, posted on Wednesday: “Recruiting has officially begun. I’m exploring all options as NCAA rules continue to evolve. Find the right program and get ready for the recovery process. Let’s work on it 💯”
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Whitney’s experience mirrors other recent cases in college basketball. James Nnaji, a 2023 NBA second-round draft pick who never signed an NBA contract, chose to play college basketball for the first time at Baylor University. Former Alabama big man Charles Bediako attempted to return to college but played just five games under a temporary court order before being ruled ineligible.
Players like Amari Bailey, who briefly played 10 games in the NBA after leaving UCLA, and Trentyn Flowers, who played overseas and in the NBA with no college experience, are also exploring playing college basketball.
Whitney, a consensus five-star recruit at Russell Catholic, played in 18 games for Kentucky, including eight starts, and averaged 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. After going undrafted in 2020, he played for the Greensboro Swarm and Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the G-League and internationally with KK Shkrjevo and the Manawatu Jets. Although Whitney has never played in an official NBA game, Whitney’s eligibility could be complicated under NCAA rules because the five-year clock to play four seasons begins with the 2019-20 season.
Regardless, Whitney’s announcement signals his intention to explore college basketball again, adding intrigue to the evolving NCAA landscape. Fans may remember his stellar performance in the Kentucky State Basketball Tournament last summer, showing off the talent he can bring back to the college game.