Transfer Target Tylor Perry Announcing Decision May 2nd

Still with open scholarship spots to play with, the Gators are looking to continue their elite transfer portal class with the pursuit of North Texas guard Tylor Perry. 

 

Perry just finished up a successful season where he averaged 17.3 points and 2.1 assists, leading a North Texas team that was operating as one of the best mid-major teams in the country. Rolling through competition on their way to an NIT Championship, North Texas finished 31st in the country in KenPom–suggesting if they had been able to sneak into the NCAA Tournament they would have been able to do some damage.

 

17.3 Points and 2.1 assists are impressive numbers–but they easily could have been much higher. North Texas was dead last in the country in tempo–and playing fewer possessions than anyone means all their counting numbers are going to be held down. In a system that played at even an average pace, Perry might have scored 20 per game. 

 

Known as a big-time shooter, Perry shot 41% from deep last year on just under 8 attempts per game–making him one of the most efficient high volume three-point shooters in the country. 

 

In addition to putting up stellar numbers, Perry is a pesky on-ball defender that set the tone for a North Texas defense that was 18th in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency metric. At 5’11” he’s giving up size in a lot of matchups but his impressive speed, anticipation, and relentless effort make him a point of attack defender that always keeps his opponent off balance. 

 

Another element of Perry’s game that he has become known for is his clutch gene, and legend of his ability to hit huge shots continued to grow as North Texas mowed down competition in the NIT. Whenever it was a late shot clock or the end of a game the Mean Green put the ball in the hands of Perry and with his ability to create space and knock down jumpers it seemed like he always made plays in crunch time. 

 

May 2nd in the decision date set by Perry who will be deciding between Florida, Kansas State, Ole Miss, and Texas Tech. 

 

Arkansas and Alabama were also considered to be heavily in the mix, though they both recently landed guards that crowded the backcourt and took them out of Perry’s consideration.

 

While Perry named four schools in his final list, by all accounts it’s down to Florida and Kansas State. 

 

Kansas State’s big sell will be the tournament run the Wildcats just had on the back of Markquis Nowell–a very similar player to Perry who was one of the heroes of March Madness. Both are undersized point guards who can defend at a high level and then make big shots on the other end of the floor, and head coach Jerome Tang is pitching the idea of Perry being the next Markquis Nowell.

Florida already has Riley Kugel and Walter Clayton in the backcourt, but they could easily start Perry whether next to Kugel or alongside both Kugel and Clayton in a three-guard lineup. Perry has made it known he’s willing to play any role at his next program–though you’d have to think the idea of starting would have to weigh into his decision at least somewhat. 

 

Perry has already made this visit to Gainesville a couple of weeks ago, and Kansas State is on a visit that started April 24th. 

 

As one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal, Tylor Perry is an important name to watch and May 2nd is going to be a massive day for whichever team lands him.



Eric Fawcett
Eric is a basketball coach and writer from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His work has been found at NBA international properties, ESPN, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, Lindy's and others. He loves zone defenses, the extra pass, and a 30 second shot clock. Growing up in Canada, an American channel showing SEC basketball games was his first exposure to Gator hoops, and he has been hooked ever since. You can follow him on Twitter at @ericfawcett_.