Hailing from Eddyville, Kentucky, Travis Perry, the 2024 Kentucky Mr. Basketball, stayed home to play for the Wildcats.

In March, Perry led Lyon County to its first ever KHSAA Championship thanks to a 27-point performance in front of more than 13,000 fans at Rupp Arena. Seven months later, in the same arena, Perry made his big blue debut against Wright State.

“It’s super exciting, you know, it’s an experience,” Perry said. “There’s nothing like it, it’s incredible, Kentucky is obviously the biggest place for basketball in the country.”

The 6-foot, 2-inch, guard was a high school standout as Perry was the only player in Kentucky high school history to score 5,000 points.

Recruited by former head coach John Calipari, the four-star prospect announced his commitment to Kentucky over Alabama, Cincinnati, Ole Miss and Western Kentucky in November.

“There really wasn’t (any second guesses), this is a special place,” Perry said. “Growing up here, watching Kentucky basketball, I think all things fell into the right path for me.”

247Sports ranked Perry No. 1 in the state of Kentucky and No. 80 in the nation.

Despite Kentucky’s roster experiencing its biggest makeover in 15 years with the departure of Calipari to rival Arkansas, the Eddyville native remained faithful to his commitment. Now, under new Head Coach Mark Pope, Perry is one of three freshmen and the second youngest player on the team.

“I think Travis has never been phased by anything in his life,” Pope said. “I think he’s like a 75-year-old soul in a (19)-year-old body.”

Oddly enough, Perry entered the season as the most experienced player on the team to play at Rupp Area, with nine games played by way of two KHSAA Sweet Sixteen appearances with Lyon County.

“Anytime you can play in the best place to play college basketball (arena) in the country, it’s awesome,” Perry said. “That’s definitely something— those moments I will never forget; I just can’t wait to get out there wearing the blue and white.”

On Perry’s road to championship paydirt, he had to defeat the Harlan County Black Bears in the championship game, which was led by fellow Kentucky freshman forward Trent Noah.

Originally Noah, a four-star prospect, committed to South Carolina in October last year, but ultimately decommitted in favor of Kentucky in May.

Now teammates, Noah and Perry are the only two Bluegrass natives on the team.

“It’s awesome. Now, when he hits the three, it goes on our side of the scoreboard,” Noah said. “But no, he’s a great player. I get to learn so much from him, and being able to be roommates in the (Wildcat Coal Lodge) —that’s really something.”

The Wildcat Coal Lodge is a residence hall for the men’s basketball players to live in if one chooses to live on campus.

“I love these kids, it’s really special to have on the team, and they’re going to make a huge impact on Kentucky basketball this year, and certainly as we move forward this program, I’m grateful to have these two guys,” Pope said. “I can ask for better human beings who represent the state of Kentucky than these two kids.”

Perry followed in the footsteps of former Wildcat and fan favorite — and current Houston Rocket — Reed Sheppard by staying in-state to play for Kentucky after receiving the Kentucky Mr. Basketball nod. The guard averaged 32.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 4.7 steals per game as a high school senior.

While it’s unlikely he will be a main player in his freshman year as has been demonstrated, Perry holds plenty of potential with his two-way production and three-point shot making.

“It’s super special to be able to grow up here, watch (Kentucky basketball) for so long, and then get to be a part of it,” Perry said. “It’s really difficult to describe, but it’s awesome to come in every day and compete against guys that truly understand what it means to us, and what it means to the fans, and how it really means something to them as well.”

Having seen the court in six games, Perry will have a chance once again on Wednesday, Dec. 11, when the Cats face off against Colgate inside Rupp Arena. Tipoff against the Raiders is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN2.