Darrin Horn's son one of two new walk-ons joining Kentucky basketball's 2022-23 roster

Jon Hale, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read
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LEXINGTON – Kentucky basketball's 2022-23 roster will include two new walk-ons.

Texas prep guard Walker Horn and Ohio prep guard Grant Darbyshire have joined the Wildcats, UK announced Thursday. They join senior Brennan Canada and junior Kareem Watkins as walk-ons on a roster that includes 10 scholarship players.

“Both Grant and Walker will be great additions to our team,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said in a news release. “They both come from terrific families, and they’ve been impactful both on the court and in the classroom. I love that they’ve both been around the game their entire lives because you have to love this, and I’m confident they’re ready to embrace all that goes with being a Kentucky basketball player.”

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Cov Cath guard Walker Horn hits on this three-point shot in the game between Covington Catholic and St. Henry high schools at Holmes High School March 22, 2021.
Cov Cath guard Walker Horn hits on this three-point shot in the game between Covington Catholic and St. Henry high schools at Holmes High School March 22, 2021.

Horn, the son of Northern Kentucky University coach and Lexington native Darrin Horn, previously played two seasons at Covington Catholic High School before returning to Austin, Texas for his senior year. Horn averaged 9.3 points, 5.2 assists and 2.4 rebounds per game as a senior while helping Westlake High School to the state semifinals.

"I have family roots in the state of Kentucky, so I understand the magnitude of Kentucky basketball,” Horn said in the release. “Being a part of the program was a dream of mine and an opportunity I am incredibly excited to make the most of. It doesn’t get any better in college basketball, Coach Calipari and his program are the best in the country. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it and learn from the players and coaches every day.”

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Sycamore's Grant Darbyshire (13) reacts during Fairfield's 61-60 win in OT, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2021.
Sycamore's Grant Darbyshire (13) reacts during Fairfield's 61-60 win in OT, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2021.

Darbyshire averaged 2.5 points per game for Sycamore High School in Cincinnati as a senior. He also played soccer and baseball. Darbyshire is the son of Gregg Darbyshire, the co-founder and chairman of ProCamps, which runs Calipari's annual basketball camps as well as the youth camps UK players are hosting this summer through NIL deals.

“I wanted to go somewhere that would make me uncomfortable and help me grow as a person both on and off the court,” Darbyshire said. “Kentucky is the definition of development and culture. I wanted to go to a place where I could develop life-long friendships with teammates, while helping contribute to the greatest tradition in college basketball. I most look forward to the relationships I will develop with the guys and the camaraderie that comes with this program.”

Email Jon Hale at jahale@courier-journal.com; Follow him on Twitter at @JonHale_CJ. 

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: UK basketball roster: Walker Horn, Grant Darbyshire join as walk-ons