Imagine having the talent to light up the scoreboard, only to find yourself on the bench, yearning for a chance to truly shine. That's the story of Travis Perry, a Kentucky high school legend who's now poised for a breakout season on a new team.
While five Kentucky natives will proudly sport the Wildcats' colors this year, Perry won't be among them. Last year, as a freshman at UK, the state's all-time leading high school scorer found himself in an unexpected position. Initially projected for limited playing time, injuries thrust him into the spotlight, even earning him starts in crucial games.
Coach Mark Pope and his veteran teammates praised Perry's resilience and willingness to embrace any role. However, the freshman, standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 188 pounds, often appeared physically outmatched in the often-brutal SEC. Despite these challenges, his first season was viewed as a valuable foundation for a promising career in Lexington. Following their NCAA Tournament loss to Tennessee, Perry was vocal about his desire to return for the 2025-26 season.
But here's where it gets controversial... As Pope finalized his roster through the transfer portal, it became clear that Kentucky's backcourt would be incredibly crowded. Unexpectedly, Perry entered the portal himself. It didn't take long for Chris Beard, head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels, to seize the opportunity.
Beard, entering his third year at Ole Miss and fresh off leading the team to only their second Sweet 16 appearance ever, revealed at SEC Media Day that Perry was among the first players he targeted upon arriving in Oxford. He recounted Perry's impressive high school achievements, including leading Lyon County to its first-ever state championship as a senior, earning him the prestigious Kentucky Mr. Basketball title. Beard emphasized the "great respect" he held for Perry and his family, stemming from their previous recruitment efforts.
Beard even recalled witnessing Perry's potential firsthand during last season's game between Kentucky and Ole Miss in Oxford. Perry played a career-high 14 minutes, hitting his only 3-point attempt in UK’s loss to the Rebels. "Obviously, I got to coach against Travis last year in the SEC and thought he had a good year," Beard said. "I think, a lot of times, people associate a good year as a freshman in college basketball as the special unicorn, kind of one-and-done guy."
But Beard saw something more in Perry – a combination of his freshman-year performance and their prior recruiting connection. He knew he wanted Perry in his program at Ole Miss. It seems he’s in line for a significant role as a sophomore, potentially even larger than the 9.7 minutes per game he averaged in 31 appearances at Kentucky.
And this is the part most people miss... Chris Dortch, editor of the esteemed Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, predicts Perry will attempt at least 165 three-pointers this season, based on conversations with Ole Miss coaches. To put that in perspective, only Koby Brea (214 attempts) took more three-pointers for Kentucky last season. Jaxson Robinson (165) was the only other Wildcat to exceed 100 attempts.
As a freshman, Perry attempted 56 three-pointers, converting 32.1%. However, limited opportunities hindered his ability to establish a consistent rhythm. In his senior year of high school, he shot an impressive 41.7% (184 for 441) from beyond the arc, and an even better 44.9% the year before.
The increased volume of shots at Ole Miss – potentially three times the number he took at Kentucky – should provide Perry with a better platform to showcase the skills his former UK teammates consistently praised.
His new teammates have quickly recognized his talent as well. Ilias Kamardine, a 22-year-old guard from France with professional experience, was visibly impressed when Perry's name was mentioned.
Kamardine shared his first impression: "The first time I saw him, it was in the gym and he was just shooting," Kamardine said. "And he don’t miss. And that’s crazy. He’s really, really a great shooter." When asked if he had ever seen a shooter like Perry, Kamardine responded, "Like him? No. That’s the first time in my life."
Kamardine also anticipates Perry playing "an important role" on an Ole Miss team picked to finish eighth in the competitive SEC – the same spot Kentucky occupied in last year's preseason polls – and is once again expected to contend for an NCAA Tournament berth.
AJ Storr, a transfer from Kansas who averaged 16.8 points per game at Wisconsin the previous year, has been equally impressed with Perry during their brief time together. "He’s an elite worker. He lives in the gym," Storr said. "He probably gets about, I don’t know, 1,000 shots up a day. Really great shooter, obviously. People know him for that, but he also can do other things, too. He’s a great passer. He’s good on the defensive side, as well."
While Perry's shooting prowess is well-known, his ability to contribute in other areas will be crucial to securing consistent playing time for the Rebels. He will have every opportunity to do just that, and Ole Miss will need him to deliver if they hope to build upon their breakthrough season.
"Travis is doing well," Beard stated. "I’m on the record, and I’ll never get tired of saying it: In my personal opinion — I can only speak for myself — Travis is more than a shooter. A shooter does not define what he can do on the court today and certainly what he will be able to do as he continues to grow as a player. He’s still a young sophomore in our league. But we have a major impact role for Travis. We need him to have the best year he’s ever had playing basketball for our team to do what we all would like to do in Oxford."
So, what do you think? Is Travis Perry destined for stardom at Ole Miss, or will the pressure of increased expectations be too much? Can a player truly redefine themselves after being labeled a "shooter"? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
