Calipari offers scholarship to Charlotte forward Thorne

Charlotte power forward Mike Thorne has received a scholarship offer to play basketball for Kentucky next season, and he would be eligible immediately.

Thorne has already announced that he plans to transfer after he graduates from Charlotte next month. The 6-foot-11, 270-pound prospect averaged 10.1 points and 7.3 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per game for the 49ers this season.

Trinity Christian (N.C.) head coach Heath Vandevender told the Herald-Leader that he spoke to UK Coach John Calipari on Monday afternoon. Calipari is trying to arrange a visit with Thorne and his father in Charlotte before the player visits Lexington.

Thorne is also considering Pittsburgh, Illinois and Kansas.

He visited Pitt this past weekend and has trips to Illinois and Kansas planned for the next two weekends. A visit to UK would likely happen after that.

Vandevender said that playing time would be a major factor in Thorne's final decision, since he has only one year of eligibility remaining. UK losing seven players to the NBA Draft — including four in the frontcourt — should help the Wildcats' chances. The stay-or-go decision of Kansas forward Perry Ellis could also affect Thorne's recruitment.

Alex Poythress and Marcus Lee are expected to return to the UK frontcourt next season, and they'll be joined by five-star 7-footer Skal Labissiere. UK is also recruiting Stephen Zimmerman, Cheick Diallo and Thon Maker for the class of 2015.

This story was originally published April 13, 2015 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Calipari offers scholarship to Charlotte forward Thorne."