Dayton transfer Koby Brea, considered the best shooter in college basketball and coming off a historic season, has committed to Kentucky, he told ESPN on Wednesday.
“Growing up, I was told I was dreaming too big whenever I’d say my dream was to play for the University of Kentucky,” Brea said. “I feel like God does everything for a reason, and He has put me in a position where I’m able to play for my dream school in my last year of college, while playing for something bigger than myself.”
Brea picked Kentucky over a list of schools that included Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and UConn.
“In this process, everything moves so quickly,” Brea said. “It was important for me to take my time and prioritize what I needed to take this next step in my career. I feel fortunate to have had these incredible schools recruit me to be a part of their program. And I am proud to commit to my dream school and become a Kentucky Wildcat.”
Brea hit 100 3-pointers last season while making 50% of his attempts, the only player in the college game to even come close to that feat. Only three players in college basketball history have done the same: Salim Stoudamire (2005), Mike Iuzzolino (1991) and Steve Kerr (1988).
Brea said playing for new Kentucky coach Mark Pope, whose BYU team ranked third in college basketball in 3-pointers attempted last season, is a natural fit for his style of play.
“His style of play complements my strengths as a basketball player,” Brea said. “He’s proven to be one of the best when it comes to utilizing the 3-pointer. There’s nobody in college basketball who can shoot off the catch, off the bounce and off the move all together the way I do.”
Brea, who recently measured 6-foot-7, was named the Atlantic 10 Sixth Man of the Year for the second time in his college career. He is a young senior, not turning 22 until November, and said his primary goal next season is to win the national championship.
“The biggest thing I’m looking forward to accomplishing is helping Coach Pope and the University of Kentucky hang another banner,” Brea said. “Switching that 8 with a 9! I’m also looking forward to picking Coach Pope’s brain, expanding my game and being pushed to become the best version of myself every day.”
Brea recently entered the NBA draft, drawing interest from the pro ranks after two strong performances in the NCAA tournament in which he converted 9 of 16 3-point attempts versus Nevada and Arizona. His ability to make deep spot-up 3s, run off screens and hit contested pull-up jumpers should draw considerable interest with the bigger platform he will have in Lexington next season, as he appears likely to withdraw his name from draft consideration.
“After discussing with my family and agent, we decided to take this offseason to train like a pro, get stronger and add to my game,” Brea said. “Kentucky is the perfect place to do that, while performing on one of the biggest stages.”
Brea is the sixth player to commit to Kentucky out of the transfer portal, joining an experienced group that includes rising fifth-year seniors Amari Williams (Drexel), Lamont Butler (San Diego State) and Andrew Carr (Wake Forest) as well as rising sophomore Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State) and junior Otega Oweh (Oklahoma).
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.