Former Kentucky guard Stacey Poole says he will transfer to one of four schools and hopes to be eligible for the fall of 2012.
“Right now, I have Seton Hall, Georgia Tech, FIU and DePaul,” Poole, who decided in November to leave Kentucky at the start of his sophomore season, told SNY.tv Thursday night by phone.
A Jacksonville, Fla., native, the 6-foot-5 Poole will visit Florida International this weekend.
“I have a visit set up tomorrow [Friday] to FIU because it’s close to home and I can get there,” he said.
Poole said he already visited Georgia Tech in high school and doesn’t need to visit again.
“I’ve been in Atlanta plenty of times so there’s no need for me to go,” he said.
He said he doesn’t necessarily need to visit Big East schools Seton Hall or DePaul, either.
“DePaul and Seton Hall, I already got a feel for that,” he said. “It’s a matter of time that I’m going to have to pick a school. With the time schedule I have right now, I probably won’t go to visit.”
He added: “I really don’t need a visit. The only thing I need is a place where the coach is going to believe in my talents and go from there. A visit isn’t going to do me any good.”
Seton Hall already has several transfers in the wings for next year, former Georgia Tech wing Brian Oliver and former Southern Illinois big man Gene Teague.
As far as a timetable, Poole said, “At least by next week. I’ve been holding off.”
Poole sat out Kentucky’s exhibition games this season and hopes to be eligible for next fall.
“Most likely because I didn’t play no games this year, this is my redshirt season, so next season I’ll be able to play,” he said. “I may have to sit a couple of games, but it won’t be that long.”
In November, Kentucky coach John Calipari said of Poole: “Stacey and his family felt it is in his best interest to play somewhere else and I fully respect the family and their decision. I want to wish Stacey nothing but the best in whatever and wherever he chooses to go. He will always be a part of our family and the Big Blue Nation.”
