Kentucky's Aaron Bradshaw on rumors he'll never play, transfer to USC: 'A lot of BS'

LEXINGTON — After months upon months of rumors, which started even before he arrived on campus this summer, Aaron Bradshaw put them to bed — emphatically — Wednesday.

Bradshaw, a five-star signee in Kentucky's top-ranked 2023 recruiting class, said during the team's media day Wednesday that speculation surrounding his playing status is bunk.

Asked point blank whether he'll take the floor when he's cleared after his foot injury, the 7-footer from New Jersey responded, "Of course."

Ever since the foot injury was first reported in June, however, social media rumors spread like wildfire.

It would be another Shaedon Sharpe situation for the Wildcats. Bradshaw will never play a minute for UK, with Klutch Sports Group — one of the most influential sports agencies in America, founded by Rich Paul, one of LeBron James' longtime friends — dissuading him from further injury to protect his NBA draft stock.

That wasn't the only gossip about Bradshaw, though. It also once was speculated that, under the guidance of Klutch, he'd flip from Kentucky to enroll at Southern Cal, where he'd play alongside Bronny James, LeBron James' oldest son. Shortly after those reports began surfacing, Kentucky coach John Calipari flew to Los Angeles to meet with Klutch while also watching one of his former players and a Klutch signee, Chris Livingston, prepare for the draft.

Any time Bradshaw saw his name connected to rumors on social media, he wanted to respond immediately. But his mother always talked him out of it.

Not that it was easy.

"I ain't gonna lie: I've really been wanting to say something about that, because I'm gonna stand on everything I say," Bradshaw said. "I ain't gonna try to fake for the media or say something that I don't want to say. I'm gonna say what I want to say."

There wasn't a single shred of truth in those reports, he said, whether it centers around his career at UK or the thought he'd join USC.

"It was just a lot of like — a lot of BS. I can't say the word, but it was a lot of BS on (social media)," he said. "Knowing the circumstances, like, I came here for a reason, ya feel me? I came here to win a national championship and continue on my journey. That's all I want under my belt.

"So people just saying (things) and people trying to paint a picture on me? I mean, it's gonna happen. You see it with 'Bron (James). You (saw it with) Kobe (Bryant). All these other NBA players, they get talked about every day. So I can't really complain because I signed up for it."

While it's uncertain when he'll actually make his debut in a Kentucky uniform, he doesn't want to hear any more speculation about his commitment to the program.

"I hate rumors, ya feel me? I'd rather be told to my face and told like — ask me," he said. "I like to be asked questions. So I don't like that whole 'putting something on my name' that I had no say so in."

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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball: Freshman Aaron Bradshaw addresses rumors