The Kentucky Wildcats are preparing for the upcoming regular season, and their coaching staff, led by Mark Pope, remains active in recruiting despite currently lacking commitments in the class of 2026. As the season approaches, there are many questions about which high school prospects may be joining the fold, but there are promising developments regarding several top targets.
Jamie Shaw from On3 recently provided updates on the recruitment statuses of key prospects, highlighting two players of significant interest to Kentucky. First is 5-star guard Caleb Holt, who has visited Lexington twice and appears to be leaning positively towards the Wildcats. However, it seems that Holt is closely watching the recruitment of fellow 5-star prospect Tyran Stokes before making any decisions. Shaw notes that Kentucky’s momentum is increasing but ties it to Stokes’ recruitment, which could influence Holt’s choice.
Meanwhile, the news is less optimistic regarding 5-star point guard Deron Rippey, who reportedly is not prioritizing Kentucky in his recruitment. Sources indicate that Rippey is favoring schools like Duke, Tennessee, and NC State. Additionally, Rippey’s existing Adidas sponsorship suggests that he might be inclined to choose a program related to that brand, which could explain why the Wildcats are seeing him fade from their target list.
As for Tyran Stokes, the current landscape looks to be a competitive matchup between Kentucky and Kansas. Yet, a timeline for his commitment remains uncertain despite earlier expectations that he might decide in time for the early signing period.
With the potential return of Jaland Lowe and Jasper Johnson for another season, it’s clear that Kentucky is approaching the recruitment process strategically. While the developments present a mixed bag, the Wildcats’ proactive approach offers hope as they look to build a strong recruiting class. The optimism surrounding Holt suggests that significant momentum is still possible as the regular season unfolds.