BB Recruiting

2022 Rising Guard Sets Decision Date, UK Looks to Be the Favorite

Published

4 years ago

May 2, 2022

UK Athletics

As the current roster is currently constructed, Kentucky has the returning National Player of the Year, four McDonald’s All-Americans, SEC assist leader/Bob Cousy Finalist, former Big Ten 3-point % leader, a freak athlete at the four, and a 20 ppg All-Missouri Valley wing.

Pretty good roster, huh?

With that said, Kentucky currently only has nine scholarship spots filled, and will almost certainly add one to two more players, with one possibly committing this Sunday. Adou Thiero, a 6’5 combo guard from Pennsylvania in the class of 2022, has set a commitment date for this Sunday fresh off a visit from Lexington.

Thiero will choose between Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Maryland, and Kentucky amongst others. Kentucky is considered to be the favorite and as of now, the only two 247 Sports Crystal Ball predictions are for the Wildcats.

If you perform a quick Google research on Adou Thiero, you will be hard-pressed to find much information on him. For example, if you click this link to his 24/7 Sports recruiting profile, there is little to nothing listed about him.

However, in recent months, Thiero has seen his stock rise astronomically, going from relatively unknown to on the radars of many mid-high major schools.

A major reason for this is as his stock has grown, so has Thiero, physically. In the past year, Thiero has grown 6 inches to 6’5 (6’6 depending on who you ask) and is still growing. Combine that with athleticism, and that is a combo that John Calipari is very interested in.

Not to mention, the basketball genes run strong in Thiero family. His father, Almamy Thiero, played for Calipari in his early days at Memphis and his mother is 6-3 and is a former WNBA draft pick. Giving

What kind of player could Kentucky be getting? As mentioned before, there is not much that you can find on the kid with a google search. However, George Michalowski of Pittsburgh Sports Now, has had the privilege to watch Adou in action, and here is what he had to say.

I have watched Adou three times over the past few weeks. He is 6’5, maybe 6’6. Very strong lower half and getting stronger up top. He has grown 6+ inches in the past year or two and has filled out very well.
He plays a very downhill game. Likes to drive and be as physical as possible. Plays slow and is very smart in the halfcourt, but when he gets out in transition he is not slowing down (sometimes a bit out of control, but rarely). Plays point guard for his HS team. Super acrobatic with his finishes, and gets to the free throw line whenever he wants. He’s got a pretty good jumper, and it’s gotten better each time I have seen him play. He has been playing through a broken growth plate in his hand for the past few weeks so it’s been hard for me to judge. He has plus vision. I’d say the only times that I’ve seen him out of control have been in transition. But he is far and away the best player on his team and has had to carry them at times, so every time he attacks like that, it’s been necessary.
Defensively he is the best shot blocking guard I have seen in quite some time. He is very long and has a knack for the ball. Rebounds at a high rate as well.
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Off the court, he’s a super humble, lively guy. He is a kid. He is loving all of this process and is a great leader on the court. He plays alongside an undersized forward Markus Frank who is an excellent scorer, and Adou knows when to give Frank the ball/isn’t afraid to give it up at all. He is an unselfish player but knows when and when not to take over.
He is a super super tough competitor and loves the game.

Don’t expect a one-and-done type player, but Calipari seems to be sold on his potential. Maybe Coach Cal has found a diamond in the rough.

BB Recruiting

Five-Star Class of 2027 Recruit Paul Osaruyi Set to Visit UK This Weekend

Published

3 hours ago

September 24, 2026

Kaitlyn Webb

Image via Canada Basketball

Paul Osaruyi, a top 25 recruit in the 2027 class, is set to visit Mark Pope and his program this weekend. This will be Osaruyi’s first official visit, presenting as a huge opportunity for Pope and his staff to showcase what the Wildcats are all about.

The 6-foot-10, 225-lb center currently attends CIA Bella Vista Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona holding many offers from major programs such as Houston, BYU, UCLA, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, North Carolina and many more. He’s currently a five-star recruit with recruiting sites such as On3, ESPN and 247 Sports ranking him in the top 25 players in the class.

🚨 Class of 2027 5⭐️ C Paul Osaruyi will be visiting Kentucky this weekend, according to Joe Tipton of Rivals. 😼

Osaruyi is 6-foot-10, 225 pounds and plays for Bella Vista Prep in Scottsdale, Arizona.

According to 247Sports Composite, Osaruyi is ranked No. 20 nationally, the… pic.twitter.com/iLotUGWBa3— Chris Beasmore (@CBeasmoreSports) September 23, 2026

“Kentucky is the other school that I have heard recently with the big man,” he told On3’s Jamie Shaw. “They are a ‘newer’ program in the mix, but seem to have made a relatively quick connection.” A Sea of Blue

In current connection, Kentucky commit Ryan Hampton previously told KSR that Osaruyi is one of his favorite teammates in this senior class and that he is trying to personally recruit him to join him in Lexington next season.

“He’s one of the guys that can really fit in the system,” Hampton told KSR’s Jack Pilgrim. “I just told him it’ll be a great fit for next year. Obviously, he’s a five-star; we’re rated really high, so that would be a good pick-up, for sure, for Kentucky basketball.”

Kentucky is pursuing Osaruyi hard, with Pope and his staff ready for the center’s arrival this weekend. Could the big eventually become a Wildcat?

BB Recruiting

Kentucky Basketball Conducts Zoom Call With Fifth Year Transfer Keyshawn Hall

Published

2 months ago

August 4, 2026

Tristan Pharis

The Kentucky basketball staff is looking to fill their final roster spot, and conducted a Zoom call with fifth year Auburn transfer Keyshawn Hall.

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On Friday afternoon, a preliminary injunction granted by a U.S. District Court judge in Colorado gave athletes from the 2022 high school class a fifth season of eligibility, potentially creating another transfer portal opportunity late into the offseason.

This is something the Kentucky basketball staff has been monitoring through the offseason, potentially using it as an avenue to add the 15th and final player to the roster. One name that the staff has communicated with is fifth-year Auburn transfer Keyshawn Hall. According to a source, Kentucky conducted a Zoom call with Hall on Monday.

Hall is a well-traveled athlete, playing for four schools in four seasons. Starting his career at UNLV, he has since played for George Mason, UCF, and Auburn last season.

While at Auburn, Hall averaged 19.3 PPG and 7.1 RPG on 45/38/86 shooting clips, with a 60.6 true shooting percentage. The 6-7 wing could bring versatility and shot creation at the four spot, potentially playing the three in big lineups. However, there are some concerns. On the court, Hall struggles with defensive consistency. Off the court, Hall was suspended for a game last season, with Auburn coach Steven Pearl citing that he “did not live up to the standards of our program this week.”

Mark Pope said that the last piece of the roster would be one that fit. Hall is certainly talented, and if Pope and Co. are pursuing him, they are confident that he is a good fit and that they can handle the concerns.

It is worth noting that the NCAA filed an emergency motion in hopes that a federal judge will stay a nationwide injunction, stating that in the injuction is sustained it would destabilize program rosters and impair the NCAA’s ability to self-governwould destabilize rosters and impair the NCAA’s ability to self-govern.

The speed at which the appeal will be reviewed will be seen, but as it stands, Hall is eligible for another season of college basketball, and Kentucky is interested.

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

BB Recruiting

Kentucky Is in Daily Contact with Five-Star Big Man Darius Wabbington, “Kentucky’s legacy is no joke”

Published

3 months ago

July 2, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Five-star big man Darius Wabbington lists Kentucky among six finalists, praising Mark Pope's coaching, Kentucky's program prestige, and Mo Williams' recruiting energy.

Team USA

As the high school basketball circuits conclude later this month, college basketball coaches are starting to key in on their primary targets for the 2027 class. For Kentucky, one such player is five-star big man Darius Wabbington.

Kentucky assistants Cody Fueger and Mo Williams have been in contact with Wabbington on a daily basis, trying to convince him that Kentucky is the place for him. When asked about Williams, the newest coach on the UK staff, “Great energy,” Wabbington exclaimed. “Another extremely smart coach who knows what it takes to get to the next level.”

Since joining the staff in April, Williams has really made a difference for the Wildcats on the recruiting trail, with multiple prospects having positive things to say about him and his recruiting approach.

As for what Wabbington is looking for in his future school, he is prioritizing fit and his relationship with the coaching staff, and he has a positive view of Mark Pope and the prestige of Kentucky basketball.

“I think Mark Pope is one of the best coaches in the country, and Kentucky’s legacy is no joke. I’d love to be a part of both”

The two sides are working on setting up a visit, as Kentucky was announced as one of six finalists earlier this week, along with Arizona, Texas, Louisville, Indiana, and North Carolina.

In June, Mark Pope got a commitment from top-ten prospect, Ryan Hampton, who Wabbington calls “my guy,” and could begin recruiting him to join him in Lexington.