For Kentucky women’s basketball, the first transfer domino of the portal season has fallen, and it’s an unexpected one.
6-foot-7 centre Clara Silva has submitted her name into the transfer portal with a “do not contact” tag, according to a report from On3’s Talia Goodman on Tuesday morning. Silva, a Portuguese native, participated in all 31 of the Wildcats’ games this season, averaging four points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 12.5 minutes per game while shooting 56.5 percent.
A player usually has a destination in mind when they enter the portal with a “do not contact” tag. At her next destination, Silva will still be eligible for three more years. In the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Kentucky’s season ended on Sunday.
During her playing career in her native Portugal, Silva was regarded as a highly sought-after recruit on the international level. She would have been ranked among the top 10 recruits in her class if she had been an American prospect. She had a wealth of FIBA experience when she arrived in Kentucky and was anticipated to play a significant role in the program’s future. In November, Silva was even named the SEC Freshman of the Week. There was a lot of potential, even though it wasn’t always the most productive.
However, her name is now formally in the portal just two days after her freshman campaign ended. Although Silva’s departure is undoubtedly a blow, head coach Kenny Brooks, who first recruited Silva to Virginia Tech before accepting the position at the UK, anticipates bringing back important frontcourt players like Teonni Key, Amelia Hassett, and Clara Strack (the SEC Defensive Player of the Year).
