Ideal landing spots

Apologies to all those who stayed up late Wednesday night during the NBA Draft withdraw deadline hoping to know what everyone was doing. One player was holding out until Thursday to announce.

Let's get to it.

1. Jaxson Robinson (finally?) picks Kentucky

When Jaxson Robinson hit the transfer portal after Mark Pope left BYU for Kentucky, most assumed the senior was weighing two options: To stay in the NBA Draft or follow Pope.

He chose the latter.

The 6-7 guard was the Big 12 6th Man of the Year this season, leading BYU with 14.2 ppg on 35% shooting from 3-point range. He was one of the prized players in the portal, and coveted by Kentucky fans who wondered which players would follow Pope to Lexington.

After both Dallin Hall and Richie Saunders stayed at BYU — and rival Louisville lured in two BYU transfers — it seemed like BBN might have to go unfulfilled.

But they can relax. Robinson gives Kentucky a much-needed wing and yet another quality shooter, joining the likes of Koby Brea, Andrew Carr, Kerr Kriisa, and Otega Oweh. The difference is Robinson also can create plays off the bounce.

It’s unclear if Robinson will play a 6th man role again. He was effective for BYU as a change-of-pace player off the bench, which might work for Kentucky as well. Brea, who happened to be the A-10 6th Man of the Year at Dayton, is the other true wing player. It’s most likely that Pope adjusts lineups as needed, while Kriisa and San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler fill the backcourt roles

It’s a good problem to have if you’re coach Pope, who now has 12 players on his roster. He’s going to enjoy these mix-and-match options.

2. Where should the top available players go?

Now that the NBA Draft deadline has passed, we know who the top uncommitted players in the transfer portal are — and there’s one less after Robinson’s decision. A clear top tier has emerged.

Here’s where they should play next season.

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