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Coming into the 2023-24 college basketball season, most were anticipating a breakout from junior guard Wooga Poplar on the Miami Hurricanes.
And while Poplar posted career-highs across the board – averaging 13.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists – a disappointing campaign from the Hurricanes and issues finishing around the rim ultimately led Poplar to slide down the NBA draft radar.
Now the rising senior is in the transfer portal, and immediately he has heard from some of the biggest brands in all of college basketball.
The Philadelphia native will look for a new home to help him get back on track and potentially become an NBA draft pick in 2025, while competing for a national title in his final season of eligiblity.
Below are five schools in the mix for Poplar as of May 1:
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Poplar is reportedly being pursued by Mark Pope and Kentucky, even after the team’s recent commitment from Dayton sharpshooter Koby Brea. Poplar would give the Wildcats another dynamic scoring guard, and one who can stretch the floor with the best of them.
With Lamont Butler, Brea, and Otega Oweh already in the mix, adding Poplar would give Kentucky one of the strongest backcourts in the country – not a bad start to coach Pope’s first year in Lexington.
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John Calipari and Arkansas reached out to Poplar when he entered the portal, and if coach Cal is serious about building an offense more around outside shooting – something he has historically been hesitant about – Poplar would be a great building block.
The Hogs just landed Florida Atlantic star guard Johnell Davis and Tennessee center Jonas Aidoo, but they say good things come in threes and Poplar would certainly provide even more scoring punch to Cal’s squad as they look to rebuild after a disastrous 2023-24 season in Fayetteville.
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Duke lost seven players to the transfer portal, including star point guard Jeremy Roach, while off guard Jared McCain is expected to be a first round pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
Poplar could come to Durham alongside Tyrese Proctor and star freshman Cooper Flagg, creating a three-headed monster that will once again make Jon Scheyer’s club a tough out in the ACC.
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Poplar is from Philadelphia and while Villanova has not been at the top of their game the past two seasons under new coach Kyle Neptune, a chance to play near his hometown and for a historic brand – and in the highly competitive Big East – will at least draw consideration for the rising senior guard.
For ‘Nova, a need to replace TJ Bamba and Hakim Hart makes adding a high scoring guard a priority, and there won’t be many options better than Poplar available to the Wildcats this offseason.
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Rick Pitino can never be counted out for high end transfers, and the Red Storm have been on the hunt for guards to help get this team over the hump after they narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament last season.
Playing for a Hall of Fame coach, in the Big East, and with multiple home games at Madison Square Garden will appeal to any college basketball player, and if St. John’s can woo Poplar to New York he could really thrive in his final year of eligibility.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/miami-transfer-wooga-poplar-portal-college-basketball/