Divine Ugochukwu, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound combo guard, is a transfer target for Kentucky basketball as they look to round out their roster for the 2025-26 season. Ugochukwu spent his freshman year at Miami (FL), where he started 16 of 28 games for a struggling team that finished 7-24. Over 20.2 minutes per game, he averaged 5.3 points, 2.3 assists, 1.9 rebounds, and 1 steal. Despite shooting 48.3% from the field, his shooting from beyond the arc (17.6%) and the free throw line (63%) left room for improvement.
Ugochukwu was an under-the-radar recruit out of Clements (TX) High School, where he averaged 17.1 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.6 rebounds, leading his team to a 32-1 record and earning a spot on the TABCC 6A All-Region III Team. He chose Miami over other programs like Baylor and West Virginia, largely due to the influence of former head coach Jim Larrañaga. However, after Larrañaga’s retirement, Ugochukwu decided to transfer.
His college career began slowly, initially coming off the bench in the first nine games of the season. Despite this, he showed flashes of promise with a 15-point debut and 12-point performance against Coppin State. Over the final stretch of the season, Ugochukwu started 10 games, filling in for the injured Nigel Pack. During this time, he averaged 5.4 points, 3.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals, though his shooting remained inconsistent (36.2% from the field, 17.4% from three). Still, he showed his potential, especially in transition, and posted solid numbers in games against Louisville and Duke.
Advanced stats show that Ugochukwu is most effective attacking the rim, shooting 63% on attempts near the basket. However, his struggles outside the paint, particularly with his three-point shooting (6-34 on the season), hindered his overall efficiency. His turnover rate was also high, ranking among the worst in the country, though his pick-and-roll and transition play were among his strengths. Kentucky assistant Mikhail McLean has reportedly reached out to Ugochukwu, who could serve as a developmental piece for the Wildcats, adding depth to the backcourt following the departure of Travis Perry via the portal.
