Connect with us

BB Recruiting

Consensus Top-Five Prospect Down to Five Schools, Kentucky Makes the Cut

Published

on

UK Athletics

In the class of 2023, Kentucky currently has only one commitment, in-state five-star legacy recruit, Reed Sheppard.

As of recent, Kentucky has missed on several top recruits due to unfortunate circumstances, such as family member being hired by other schools (cough. James Wiseman. Cough. Cade Cunningham), or just not being a top choice. While the college basketball landscape has changed since, it is no excuse and Kentucky has to adapt.

Kentucky does not usually begin to assemble the bulk of its recruiting class till after the junior summer period, but it is important for Calipari and his staff to narrow down and do well in this class.

Advertisement

In the 2023 class, Kentucky has prioritized a lot of high level targets such as DJ Wagner, the son of former Calipari player Dejuan Wagner, JJ Taylor, and Kwame Evans Jr, who just cut his list of school.

Earlier today, Joe Tipton released Evans’ top five list, in which Kentucky made the cut in addition to Indiana, Auburn, Oregon, and UCLA.

At this point, Kentucky and Oregon seem to be the favorites with On3’s recruiting prediction machine having them tied up on the top at 36.5% apiece, but in recruiting things can change fast.

Back in November, Evans and his father visited Kentucky, and his father had this to say.

Advertisement

“The Kentucky visit was awesome. The message was come to the best school with the best resources for the players, nothing is given to you, you have to work hard every day and earn your keep. Accountability, all that stuff that Cal teaches. [John Calipari] is a really good coach in my eyes, I just think he does it the right way.”

Evans has been described as a 6-foot-9 wirey wing with good ball skills and a nice pull up jump shot. While not an elite athlete, has also shown potential as a rim protector with his 7′ wingspan.

Whoever lands Evans is getting a talented prospect and as he cuts list to five schools we are getting closer to finding out what school it will be.

Advertisement

BB Recruiting

Kentucky Earns Commitment From European Big Andrija Jelavic

Published

on

ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

Earlier today, Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats received the commitment from Andrija Jelavic, a 6-foot-11 big from Croatia.

As first reported by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Jelavic is one of the most highly regarded European prospects that is taking his talent to the NCAA.

Soon to be 21 years old, Jelavic averaged 10.8 points per game on 60% shooting from the field to go along with 7.4 rebounds per game for Mega Superbet, the same club that NBA Champion and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic played for.

Advertisement

As a shock to most, who were expecting Pope’s next commit to be a guard of some sorts, international players can now sign lucrative NIL deals. Kentucky, along with several of the elite colleges, are now in the European market. 

Jelavic, with shades of current European big men, can do just about everything on the court. He can shoot, dribble, pass, finish at the rim, etc. With a very relevant comparison, Jelavic plays almost perfectly in the replacement role of Andrew Carr. 

His commitment now makes him the fifth member of Pope’s additions this offseason, joining Kam Williams, Jaland Lowe, Mouhamed Dioubate and Jayden Quaintance. 

With a 7’2” wingspan, joining an already impressive Kentucky frontcourt, it’s safe to say for certain that this new team will not lack in that department. 

Advertisement

Next year’s roster was loaded with talent already, but now with the addition of Jelavic, lots of questions are arising: Who will start? How many more players is Pope going to add? What will happen with the walk-ons? 

There’s plenty to think about for Pope and his staff before the season starts, but like he said back when he introduced himself to Big Blue Nation, “We’re here to win banners.” He’s going to make the moves he thinks will do just that for the Wildcats. 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

BB Recruiting

Four-Star Guard Acaden Lewis Suddenly Decommits from Kentucky

Amidst a recent wave of positive recruiting news for Kentucky, the surprising decommitment of Acaden Lewis is an unfortunate wrench.

Published

on

2025 four-star point guard prospect Acaden Lewis has decommited from Kentucky.
UK Athletics

In a shocking, late at night turn of events, four-star freshman Acaden Lewis has decommitted from Kentucky.

Lewis, a 6’3” point guard out of Washington, D.C. first committed to the blue and white in November of last year, following an in-person visit with Mark Pope in his hometown.

Since then, he’s made multiple appearances in Rupp Arena, been featured in photo shoots with his fellow incoming recruits, and spoken on multiple occasions about his excitement to join the team for the 2025-26’ season.

Advertisement

To say this development is surprising would be a serious understatement.

Lewis released a statement following the announcement, “This was an incredibly difficult decision, but I have to do what’s best for my future,” he said. “Thank you to Coach Pope and the whole Kentucky staff for all they’ve done for me so far.”

While the loss of Lewis is certainly disappointing, there is still much to look forward to next season for Kentucky, who maintain one of the highest rated transfer classes in the nation – and it likely isn’t finished.

To that point, if any reason can be derived immediately for Lewis’ decommitment, it may be found in the same place that Mark Pope and staff will be going to look for answers: the transfer portal.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

BB Recruiting

Top 10 Transfer Prospect, Former Wildcat Recruit Jayden Quaintance Commits to Kentucky

Published

on

2024 five-star big man Jayden Quaintance has commmitted to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats
UK Athletics

Two days into the week and two booms for the Kentucky Wildcats as Jayden Quaintance announced his commitment to Kentucky on Tuesday morning.

If the Quaintance name sounds familiar, it should. He was originally committed to play for the Cats out of high school last season as a five-star recruit. While he was interested in staying at Kentucky following John Calipari’s departure, even meeting with Mark Pope, he elected to play for Arizona State.

In his one season with the Sun Devils, Quaintance averaged 9.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 2.6 BPG, and earned Big 12 All-Freshman and All-Defensive honors.

Advertisement

The one concern for Quaintance is that he had surgery to repair a torn ACL, which could keep him out for the entire offseason and potentially into the season. That said, the expectation for a return is September, and at just 17 years old, there is so much untapped potential.

Get to know the newest Wildcat commit!

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending