Ex-5-Star Prospect Sacha Killeya-Jones Will Transfer to NC State from Kentucky

Former Kentucky Wildcats forward Sacha Killeya-Jones is transferring to the North Carolina State Wolfpack, he announced Tuesday.

Killeya-Jones will have to sit out the 2018-19 season to satisfy NCAA requirements before having two years of eligibility with the Wolfpack.

When he joined Kentucky, Killeya-Jones was widely considered one of the top frontcourt players in the country. According to 247Sports' composite rankings, he was the No. 7 power forward and No. 23 player overall in the 2016 recruiting class.

The Chapel Hill, North Carolina, native was unable to make much of an impact with the Wildcats, though. He appeared in 48 games, averaging 3.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.6 blocks.

It's doubtful things would've changed much for Killeya-Jones if he had spent another season in Lexington. The Wildcats could potentially lose P.J. Washington, Wenyen Gabriel and Kevin Knox to the NBA—with Knox hiring an agent—but they're welcoming in 5-star frontcourt recruits E.J. Montgomery and Keldon Johnson.

Not only does transferring to NC State mean playing closer to home, but Killeya-Jones should also have a much better opportunity to play when he's eligible.

NC State signed Immanuel Bates, the No. 12 center in 247Sports' composite rankings, but size remains a clear area of need for the team. Sophomore center Omer Yurtseven was the only player taller than 6'8" from last year's team, and he transferred to Georgetown last month.

Killeya-Jones should have the inside track as the starting center for NC State ahead of the 2019-20 season.