Breaking: A five-star guard chooses to play for the Kentucky Wildcats over Georgia and Tennessee.

In a major recruiting win that reverberates across the SEC and the national college basketball landscape, the Kentucky Wildcats have landed a commitment from elite five-star guard Tariq Reynolds, who announced Monday that he is taking his talents to Lexington over strong pushes from both Georgia and Tennessee.

The 6-foot-5 combo guard out of Montverde Academy (FL), ranked No. 7 overall in the 2025 class by 247Sports and considered the top uncommitted backcourt player remaining, made his decision public in a live-streamed ceremony surrounded by family, teammates, and coaches.

“I’ve thought long and hard about this,” Reynolds said. “I prayed on it, I talked to my parents and coaches, and at the end of the day, Kentucky just felt like home. Coach Pope showed me he believed in me and had a real plan for how I’d be developed and used. I want to win and I want to be pushed—and there’s no better place than Lexington for that.”

This marks head coach Mark Pope’s first five-star commitment since taking over for John Calipari earlier this month, and it’s a statement of intent. In recent years, Kentucky has faced growing pressure to return to its blue-blood dominance amid tournament inconsistencies. Pope’s ability to secure Reynolds, especially while Georgia and Tennessee were pushing aggressively, sends a powerful message: Kentucky still owns the big stage when it matters most.

Reynolds was reportedly drawn to Pope’s pitch of an NBA-style, guard-centric offense that will feature him prominently both on and off the ball. Pope emphasized spacing, tempo, and flexibility—areas that suit Reynolds’ multifaceted skill set.

“Tariq is the kind of player who changes the trajectory of a program,” Pope said in a statement shortly after the announcement. “He’s a leader, a competitor, and a dynamic two-way guard. We’re building something special here in Lexington, and Tariq is a huge part of that vision.”

Reynolds is expected to step in and start from Day 1. Kentucky’s backcourt is undergoing significant changes, with D.J. Wagner declaring for the NBA Draft and Rob Dillingham also expected to leave. The Wildcats need a new face to lead the backcourt, and now they have one.

While Kentucky ultimately secured Reynolds’ commitment, it was far from a foregone conclusion.

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes made Reynolds his No. 1 priority after securing a strong frontcourt group early in the 2025 cycle. Barnes pitched stability, defensive structure, and a winning culture. The Volunteers’ success developing tough, physical guards like Santiago Vescovi and Kennedy Chandler in recent years gave them real credibility in Reynolds’ camp.

Georgia, meanwhile, was the dark horse. Head coach Mike White pulled out all the stops, including multiple in-home visits, NIL pitch meetings, and even enlisting Atlanta-area NBA players to help sway Reynolds. The Bulldogs have been aiming to land a marquee name to signal their emergence as a serious player in the SEC, and Reynolds would have been their highest-ranked commit in over a decade.

But in the end, Kentucky’s brand—and Pope’s rising credibility—were too much to overcome.

Reynolds brings a rare blend of polish, power, and poise to the backcourt. He is explosive off the dribble, capable of creating his own shot at all three levels, and equally dangerous as a playmaker for others. Defensively, his 6-foot-10 wingspan and relentless motor make him a nightmare for opposing guards.

Here’s how recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer described him:

“Reynolds is a program-changer. He’s physical, confident, and has a mature approach to the game. What separates him is his decision-making under pressure—he plays like a college junior already. He’s a leader and a competitor. Kentucky fans are going to love him.”

At Montverde Academy, Reynolds averaged 19.3 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds while leading one of the nation’s top teams to a 30-2 record. He’s played in elite settings—from the EYBL circuit to USA Basketball—and has consistently thrived.

More importantly, Reynolds has intangibles that scouts rave about: leadership, accountability, and an insatiable drive to get better.

Reynolds becomes the cornerstone of Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class, which was previously viewed as solid but unspectacular. His commitment elevates it into top-10 territory nationally.

He joins four-star forward Malik Simmons and high-upside big man Jordan Dupree, both of whom have already signed. With Reynolds now on board, the Wildcats are suddenly back in play for other elite targets—most notably five-star wing Josiah Brewer and top-30 forward Noah Taylor.

There’s also growing buzz that Reynolds could help sway his close friend and AAU teammate Kendall Tate, a four-star shooting guard currently leaning toward Michigan State. Reynolds and Tate formed one of the most electric duos on the Nike EYBL circuit, and Kentucky is hoping to reunite them.

“We’re not done yet,” Pope said Monday night. “This is the start of something big.”

Reynolds’ commitment will likely have ripple effects throughout the SEC and beyond.

Georgia, stinging from the near miss, will turn its attention to top-40 guard Chase Robinson and five-star forward Leon Bass. But the sting of losing Reynolds—especially when he hails from their own backyard—hurts.

Tennessee will now push even harder for combo guard DeMarcus Owens and may revisit the possibility of flipping Duke commit Elijah Moore, though that remains unlikely.

Nationally, schools like Kansas, Texas, and Oregon—each of whom made late overtures to Reynolds—will now adjust their boards accordingly.

The biggest winner, though, is Kentucky. In landing Reynolds, the Wildcats not only secured a high-level talent, but reestablished themselves as a preferred destination for the nation’s best guards.

Reynolds said he plans to officially sign during the early period in November but intends to enroll at Kentucky in June 2025 to get a jumpstart on his college transition.

He’ll likely play a significant role in summer exhibition tours and fall workouts and will be groomed as the next face of the program. With Reynolds, Kentucky has the type of guard who can not only put up numbers but elevate the play of those around him.

NBA scouts have already taken notice. One Western Conference scout told ESPN anonymously:

“Reynolds is a one-and-done guy, no question. But what’s special is that he doesn’t play like he’s hunting stats. He plays the right way, makes winning plays, and defends with purpose. That’s a lottery pick profile.”

This commitment isn’t just about adding talent—it’s about momentum.

When Mark Pope was hired to replace John Calipari, many questioned whether he could attract elite recruits at Kentucky’s traditional level. Reynolds’ decision is a resounding rebuttal to that skepticism.

Yes, Pope may bring a different style and tone than Calipari, but Reynolds’ commitment proves he can still win big in the living room and in the headlines.

“We want players who want to be coached hard, who want to grow, and who want to win at the highest level,” Pope said. “Tariq Reynolds checks every box—and he’s just the beginning.”

As Kentucky gears up for what it hopes will be a new golden era, the face of that new beginning just stepped onto the scene—with swagger, skill, and SEC dominance on his mind.