Olivier Sarr will transfer from Wake Forest to Kentucky.

"I felt that was the best fit and the best opportunity for me, being able to play for that great program and showcase my winning drive on that stage," Sarr told ESPN, in reference to playing for John Calipari at Kentucky. "Coach Cal made me understand that I was needed over there."

Danny Manning was recently fired as head coach of Wake Forest.

Sarr also received interest from Duke, Baylor, Florida State and Gonzaga.

"I don't think people realize how hard it is for me," said Sarr, a 7-footer from France. "I hope they understand that I'm not transferring because I don't like the school, the team, the new coach. Just that I felt like this was the best opportunity and I had to take it.

"It's going to be tough, talking to my coaches and teammates, fans, professors, managers. It's a tough decision. I don't know how to explain it. I loved Wake. They welcomed me with open arms, when I was a skinny freshman who barely spoke English. I will always be a Deacon. I hope they always remember me as a Deacon."

One of the reasons Sarr chose Kentucky was John Calipari's track record for development big men for the NBA.

Wake Forest center Olivier Sarr entered the transfer portal, quickly becoming one of the most highly sought-after transfers in the country.

Wake Forest recently replaced Danny Manning with Steve Forbes as head coach.

"I wanted to test the [NBA draft] waters. I requested the UAC [Undergraduate Advisory Committee]. I tried to test the waters, then I had a conversation with Coach and he convinced me to stay and get my degree. He had plans for me, I was going to do great things in the ACC, with the team and individually, of course. It was late April, Coach was going to stay. Then, 24-48 hours before the [draft] deadline, Coach got fired. I didn't get the chance to put my name in and change my mind," explained Sarr to ESPN.

Sarr averaged 13.7 points and 9.0 rebounds last season.

He is the third Demon Deacons players to enter the transfer portal.