The Kentucky Wildcats just added a significant piece to their 2023 recruiting class, No. 1 point guard Robert Dillingham, choosing Kentucky over Auburn, Louisville, and USC.

Back in December, Dillingham had originally elected to stay home and committed to NC State. This came as a last-minute surprise, as Dillingham held seven 247 Sports Crystal Ball predictions to Kentucky just 48 hours prior to his decision.

However, Dillingham decommitted from NC State back in March after the school received NCAA violations. Upon reopening his recruitment, UK assistant coach Chin Coleman told Dillingham, “I’m not gonna lose this time,” and he held true to his word.

In Dillingham, Kentucky is getting an extremely talented player that many have started to compare to long-time No. 1 recruit DJ Wagner, who Dillingham has even expressed interest in playing alongside.

Despite his small 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame, Dillingham is the perfect modern point guard, possessing elite speed, finishing ability, ball-handling skills, and perimeter shooting. Collectively, these attributes make Dillingham the dangerous offensive weapon that he is and gives him the confidence to score at all three levels.

With that said, Dillingham does not rely on his scoring ability to make an impact, as he is also willing to make the extra pass and put his teammates in positions to succeed.

In addition to his electric style of play, Dillingham possesses an alpha mentality and toughness. However, Dillingham does need to build on his frame and improve on the defensive end, as he can lose focus at times.

Dillingham joins Reed Sheppard to give the Kentucky two 5-star recruits and moves the Wildcats’ recruiting class into third place in the 247 Sports rankings, behind Duke and North Carolina.

If you are unfamiliar with Dillingham and his playstyle, watch this breakdown and get up to speed on the most recent Wildcat commit.

In the 2023 class, John Calipari has already secured a commitment from Reed Sheppard, the best prospect in the state of Kentucky and ranked top-25 nationally.

Looking ahead to the 2024 class, Calipari is already showing interest in Lyon County’s Travis Perry, who is ranked as a top-two prospect in the state and ranked in the top 100 nationally.

This past weekend, Calipari was in attendance for the Titans-Rockets Classic to see Xavier Booker – who has made an astronomical jump in the latest recruiting rankings – and was also given the opportunity to watch Perry.

The Lyon County product must have left a lasting impression as Travis’s father, Ryan Perry, says that Calipari has been in contact “quite a bit” this week. On top of that, Travis and his parents – who are Kentucky graduates and admitted Wildcat fans – are planning a visit to Kentucky this weekend to talk with Calipari and tour the campus.

To those who follow Kentucky high school basketball Perry’s name is very recognizable. Playing varsity since his seventh-grade year – averaging 20.6 points per game that season – Perry has scored 3,189 career points and is well on his way to breaking the state record of 4,337 points, held by “King” Kelly Coleman.

What is Perry’s motivation? “I’m just trying to get one more point than the other team, because I gotta ride home with my dad. And that’s the coach, and I don’t want to have to listen to him complain the whole way,” Perry told Ben Roberts of the Herald-Leader.

Perry currently holds offers from Creighton, Ole Miss, Iowa, and Purdue among others but expect his recruitment to continue heating up. Since last weekend’s event, Juwan Howard and Michigan have also expressed interest.

Check out Perry’s highlights as he went head-to-head with Sheppard and North Laurel in last summer’s Titans-Rockets Classic.

Despite being criticized for his inconsistency and struggles against physicality, Kwame Evans Jr. has one of the highest ceilings in the class of 2023.

One of the biggest reasons for that is Evans’ 6-foot-10, 200-pound frame, making him such a physically gifted and raw prospect. Combine that with the perimeter skills of a guard/wing, and you can see why Evans is so highly touted.

Both sides of Evans could be seen at Nike EYBL’s Louisville session. In his worst performance of the weekend, Evans scored all 4 of his points from the free-throw line and added only 1 rebound in 21 minutes. Whereas he shined against Lebron James sponsored Strive For Greatness, recording 16 points (8-9 FG) and 7 rebounds.

While being more of a prospect than a player, many top schools are sold on his potential. Evans’ recruitment looks to be a battle between Oregon and Arizona, with Kentucky being the dark horse.

I had the opportunity to interview to talk about his recruitment and more, so let’s see what he had to say.

What has pushed Arizona from outside your final list to the perceived favorites right now?

“Tommy Lloyd came to Montverde as soon as he offered me. Generally talking about what I need to do and what he sees in me for the school and what he wants me to be at Arizona.”

Where would you say Kentucky ranks amongst your finalists?

“All schools are the same right now.”

Let me rephrase that. In the upper half?

“Yeah.”

In the most recent 247 player rankings, you had a little bit of a drop. I’m assuming you’re going to use that as motivation, but what areas are going to look to improve on going forward?

“All areas, my whole entire package. Every time I step onto the court, just play hard and do what I can to get a W. I really don’t worry about it, but I do have to prove something right now.”

What factors are most important to you when making your college decision?

“The system, where I fit in, the place and atmosphere, and NIL.”

Kentucky was your first official visit, but with you recently visiting Oregon, how do the two schools compare?

“They compare pretty close. Oregon was nice. They had a whole bunch of nice facilities because Nike is right there. Kentucky has the pedigree there. They have nice people that work hard. The city is nice.”

What has the communication been like with Kentucky?

“It’s been good. They told me good luck a few days ago and told me to get some W’s heading into this weekend. It’s been cool.”

Check out this breakdown of KJ Evans to familiarize yourself with the Kentucky target.