LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball locked up another piece of its future backcourt Wednesday.

Jerone Morton, who played for Washington State last season, committed to UK and coach Mark Pope. Morton posted the news on his personal Instagram account.

When Morton takes the court for the Wildcats in 2026-27, it'll be a return home: He's from Lexington, graduating from George Rogers Clark High School.

In his lone season at Washington State, Morton appeared 32 games, making 29 starts. His 84 assists were second-most on the team. He averaged 7.8 points and 1.9 rebounds per outing, with a season-best 16 points in January.

Prior to joining Washington State, Morton spent the first two seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25) of his college career at Morehead State. He played in 62 games for the Eagles, averaging 5.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 20.1 minutes per outing.

Morton was a first-team honoree for The Courier Journal's Kentucky All-State boys basketball for his efforts during the 2022-23 KHSAA season. He averaged 19.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, leading the Cardinals to a 30-6 overall record that season. GRC lost to Warren Central in the Sweet 16 final. Morton ended his high school career with 2,684 points in five seasons at GRC. Additionally, Morton was a first-team All-State selection in 2022 and earned second-team honors in 2021, capturing the Sweet 16 MVP award in 2022.

"Jerone is the ultimate competitor," GRC coach Josh Cook told The Courier Journal in 2023. "The true definition of a winner in my book. He will leave a championship legacy at GRC that will last forever."

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: Jerone Morton joins Kentucky basketball, Mark Pope via transfer portal