Sacha Killeya-Jones, facing the prospects of playing fewer minutes in a loaded front court, will transfer to pursue other opportunities. Photo by Mark Cornelison

The transition of the 2018-19 Kentucky Wildcats roster is already under way. Kevin Knox has already decided to enter the NBA Draft, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s announcement is pending this evening on SportsCenter. (Update, SGA put his name in the draft and hired an agent.)

The front court is still in flux but the developments early this morning no doubt factored into the decision that Sacha Killeya-Jones made this afternoon.

Thank you BBN ! pic.twitter.com/B3F1npY8KT

— sacha killeya-jones (@SKJ) April 9, 2018

SKJ, who was rumored to be leaving after his freshman year (bench body language, never smiled), perhaps saw the writing on the wall with the commitment of incoming big man E.J. Montgomery.

Five-star recruit E.J. Montgomery just verbally committed to Kentucky, he tells @247Sports | Story: https://t.co/eB3LiMyfVb pic.twitter.com/fH2YMgGZbr

— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) April 9, 2018

As a freshmen SKJ appeared in only 15 games and tallied 96 minutes of action and didn’t play again after the South Carolina game on Jan. 21, 2017.

Coming into his sophomore season he was still counted on to provide a “veteran” presence on the youngest team in the country. He more than doubled the amount of games played (34) and quadrupled his minutes (467) and was solid down the stretch.

Really appreciated what Sacha Killeya-Jones gave Kentucky off the bench this season. Played at least 11 minutes in all six of Kentucky's postseason games and was playing his best basketball in March.

— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) April 9, 2018

To that point, he closed out his SEC post season in grand fashion. In an SEC Tournament run that was punctuated by Wenyen Gabriel’s three-point barrage against Alabama and SGA’s forays to the rim, SKJ delivered the clinching dagger in the championship game versus Tennessee.

https://twitter.com/DefPenSports/status/972911630836146176

Gotta wish the big fella well, hoping for nothing but success in all his future endeavors.

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