“I have loved my time at Kentucky and love Coach Cal and the staff,” Green said. “This was a difficult decision and one I didn’t take lightly. However, after talking with my family and the coaching staff, I just felt like it was best that I explore other opportunities for my athletic and academic future. I have enjoyed my time at Kentucky and I’ll never forget the Big Blue Nation for its love and its support.”
Carl Arrigale, Green’s coach at Neumann-Goretti, told ZAGSBLOG Wednesday that he hadn’t talked to Green but wasn’t surprised by the news.
“He won’t have any trouble finding a landing spot,” Arrigale said.
Green initially chose Kentucky over Syracuse in November 2016, but Duke, Temple and Villanova were also involved.
Green appeared in 43 games for the Wildcats over parts of two seasons, averaging 9.0 points and 2.6 assists per game. He was third on the 2017-18 team as a freshman with 41 3-pointers and had made 11 of 26 this season (42.3 percent).
The Philadelphia native started 13 of 34 games in 2017-18 and was averaging 17.8 minutes per game this season. He played a key role on the 2018 Southeastern Conference Tournament championship team, topping double figures 17 times, including six of his final 11 games played. He had three or more assists in 17 games last season. Green hit the game-winning layup in a comeback victory vs. Vanderbilt.
“I met with Quade yesterday and we talked through a lot of different things,” UK men’s basketball head coach John Calipari said. “The thing that struck me most is what a great kid Quade is. He felt like he was in a position that he couldn’t overcome and he had the maturity to come in and sit down and talk through it with me.
“Quade has my full support with this decision. We haven’t had many kids leave, but when we do, we always support them and, in just about every case, stay in touch with each other. I hope that will be the case with Quade.”
Green scored in double figures in four games this season, including a season-high 17 points with three 3-pointers vs. VMI. He made a career-high four 3-pointers vs. Monmouth and dished out three or more assists in five games this season.
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