Three Leave Wildcats; Smith Adds Walk-On; Bogans Returns

May 3, 2002

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach Tubby Smith announced Friday that Rashaad Carruth, Adam Chiles and Cory Sears have been granted their releases to transfer. Smith also announced that Ravi Moss, an All-State guard from University Heights Academy in Hopkinsville, will walk on to the team next season and that three-year starter Keith Bogans will return for his senior season at UK.

Chiles and Carruth were both freshmen this past season. Carruth appeared in 26 games and averaged 12.8 minutes and 5.5 points per outing. Chiles saw action in 16 games. Sears, a sophomore walk-on, played in eight games last season, 18 in his two-year career.

“We have granted all three their releases to pursue their college playing careers elsewhere,” said Smith, who will make no further comment on the matter.

Moss, a 6-2, 185-pound shooting guard, was a four-year starter for UHA. He averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds per game in 2002, leading the Blazers to the All “A” Championship where he earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Against Rose Hill in the tourney opener, he poured in a career-high 35 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter, to rally the Blazers to a 62-61 victory. Against Somerset in the title game, he had 20 points and 12 boards.

“Ravi is an outstanding student-athlete who we’re excited to have join our team,” Smith said. “He gets the job done in the classroom. We’re fortunate to have a young man of his ability walk on to our squad.”

Moss also considered offers from Middle Tennessee, South Carolina and Kentucky Wesleyan. He earned second-team All-State honors from The Courier-Journal and honorable-mention All-State recognition from the Herald-Leader. The Kentucky New Era in Hopkinsville named him its Player of the Year in western Kentucky.

“It was his dream to play for the Wildcats, and after Coach Smith saw him play against Rose Hill, he extended the offer to Ravi to walk on,” said Jeff Jackson, the coach at University Heights. “He’s already been accepted to UK and earned an academic scholarship. And playing-wise, I think he’s the best-kept secret in the state of Kentucky.”

Moss is the Wildcats’ fifth newcomer for next season, joining incoming freshmen Kelenna Azubuike, Bernard Cote and Brandon Stockton and junior college transfer Antwain Barbour. He’ll have an opportunity to play behind one of the nation’s top shooting guards next season in Bogans.

“We’re really excited that Keith will be back next year,” Smith said. “He’s looking for a great senior season and I’m sure he’ll pick up right where he left off in the NCAA Tournament.”

Bogans averaged 11.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in 2002, but during the NCAA Tournament, he poured in 18.3 points per game.

— Go Cats —

2002-03 Wildcats

Kelenna Azubuike, Fr., G/F

Antwain Barbour, Jr., G/F

Keith Bogans, Sr., G

Jules Camara, Sr., F/C

Josh Carrier, So., G

Bernard Cote, Fr., F

Erik Daniels, Jr., F

Marquis Estill, Sr., C

Gerald Fitch, Jr., G