CJ Fredrick, the transfer guard from Iowa, officially announced that he will be returning to Kentucky for the 2022-23 season, as he is making a full recovery from injury.
This was not much of a surprise as he had already exercised his one time transfer, and since he missed all of last year due to injury, he most certainly was not going to make the jump to the professional level. However, it is great to see him return to the court and get practice reps for the first time since November of 2021.
After CJ had announced he was transferring to Kentucky, he had also announced that he was undergoing a procedure to treat a leg injury. He had made a full recovery from this injury before the start of the season, But he was not able to stay healthy. CJ injured his hamstring during the warmups of the Champions Classic, the first game of the season, requiring surgery and for him to miss his first season in Lexington.
And what a devastating loss that was for both CJ and the Cats. CJ is best known for being one of the best - if not the best - catch-and-shoot three point shooters in the country, averaging an insane 46.6% clip from behind the arc through a pair of seasons at Iowa. He is also an underrated defender, quite often taking the most difficult perimeter defensive assignment for the Hawkeyes. His veteran leadership, courtspacing, and overall toughness will be the perfect compliment for incoming five star freshman, Cason Wallace.