UK Officially Adds Two Walk-Ons To Basketball Roster

The Kentucky coaching staff is adding what's likely the final pieces to this year's roster by bringing in two walk-ons. Last week we wrote about one of them, and this week, there is another new face.

The two walk-ons are Walker Horn and Grant Darbyshire. Our write up on Walker is on the site which you can read here. But for Grant, the info on him is all new. So who is he?

Grant Darbyshire is a guard from Cincinnati who played for Sycamore High School and the Midwest Basketball Club. He's a 6'2 freshman who led as captain for his High School this past season. That team went on for a 20-3 record while becoming the Greater Miami Conference Champions - the best season in school history. It seems like he understands winning culture and will fit right in just south of Ohio.

"I wanted to go somewhere that would make me uncomfortable and help me grow as a person both on and off the court," Darbyshire said. "Kentucky is the definition of development and culture. I wanted to go to a place where I could develop life-long friendships with teammates, while helping contribute to the greatest tradition in college basketball. I most look forward to the relationships I will develop with the guys and the camaraderie that comes with this program."

Head coach John Calipari also commented on the two walk-on additions. "Both Grant and Walker will be great additions to our team. They both come from terrific families, and they've been impactful both on the court and in the classroom. I love that they've both been around the game their entire lives because you have to love this, and I'm confident they're ready to embrace all that goes with being a Kentucky basketball player."

Per UK's press release, Grant Darbyshire also participated in soccer and baseball for Sycamore. He was a summa cum laude graduate and was also a National Merit Scholar Commended. On the court, Darbyshire shot 43% from 3-point range as a junior and had 14 points and six boards against Middleton on Senior Night. Suiting up for the Midwest Basketball Club, Darbyshire had 25 points, highlighted by six 3s. He also added 10 boards and four assists in that effort.

This will now make six newcomers for the basketball roster. They'll join freshmen Chris Livingston, Adou Thiero and Cason Wallace, as well as transfer Antonio Reeves.

Welcome to Kentucky.