Saturday Headlines: Kentucky Basketball is Back on the Recruiting Trail
As of May 19, 2025, Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball is actively re-engaging with the recruiting trail, aiming to build upon a successful 2024–25 season under head coach Mark Pope. With the 2025–26 roster largely finalized, Pope and his staff are focusing on securing commitments from top high school prospects and preparing for future classes.
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Jason Crowe Jr. (2026 Class): A 5-star point guard from California, Crowe Jr. is ranked No. 6 nationally by 247Sports Composite. He has expressed strong interest in Kentucky, praising the program and its facilities. Notably, his father shares a close relationship with assistant coach Jason Hart, which could influence his decision. Crowe Jr. plans to commit by December or January, with Kentucky emerging as a leading contender .
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Braydon Hawthorne (2025 Class): A 4-star recruit who recently reopened his recruitment, Hawthorne is set to announce his college decision on Tuesday. His finalists include Duke, Kentucky, Virginia Tech, Pitt, and a potential return to West Virginia. With Kentucky’s roster reportedly full, other schools might have stronger chances
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Caleb Wilson (2025 Class): A 5-star power forward from Atlanta, Wilson is ranked No. 5 overall in the 2025 class. He recently completed a successful official visit to Kentucky, which included attending basketball practices. Wilson has Kentucky among his final 12 schools and plans to visit Central Florida later this month and Alabama in early October.
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Tyran Stokes (2026 Class): The top-ranked recruit in the 2026 class, Stokes is a 6’7″, 225-pound forward from California. He had an official visit scheduled to Kentucky from May 15–17, but it was postponed. Stokes has already visited Louisville and Kansas, both of which remain strong contenders .
Head coach Mark Pope, along with assistant coaches Cody Fueger and Jason Hart, is actively scouting top prospects. They recently attended a game between Vegas Elite and AZ Unity, evaluating talents such as 2026 four-star forward Anthony Felesi and 2027 top-10 power forward Paul Osaruyi. Their presence at these events underscores Kentucky’s commitment to securing elite talent for future seasons .
Pope has emphasized building a strong team around local talent. In-state recruits like Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno have been central to Kentucky’s recruiting efforts. Johnson, a 5-star shooting guard from Lexington, is expected to make significant contributions in the upcoming season. Moreno, another in-state recruit, has shown steady improvement, attracting attention from both college and NBA scouts .
With the 2025–26 roster taking shape, Kentucky’s coaching staff is laying the groundwork for future success by targeting top recruits in the 2026 and 2027 classes. Their proactive approach on the recruiting trail aims to maintain Kentucky’s status as a powerhouse in college basketball.
