Before the 2025 season has even begun, Mark Pope and his staff have already found success on the recruiting trail for the following year, landing an early prediction for a five-star, top 10 prospect in the 2026 class.

Jason Crowe Jr., a 6-foot-3 guard out of California, is the sixth overall prospect in the nation – his preemptive connection to Kentucky runs through his father, Jason Crowe Sr., who was once a teammate of Kentucky assistant coach Jason Hart. Their lifelong friendship has certainly lent itself to the Cats’ favored standing with the high-scoring guard.

In an interview with KSR’s Jack Pilgrim, Crowe Jr. said “that’s like my uncle,” when speaking of Hart. “That’s just family right there…When you have people that you know there and you know how they move, they’re in there just to help you. Having him there, it definitely helps me look at Kentucky with a different eye.”

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. The aforementioned prediction came from reputed insider Joe Tipton who, despite not logging an official crystal ball for Crowe quite yet (he’s expected to commit much later this year), posted an early guess for the recruit in favor of the blue and white. UCLA, Arkansas, Texas, are also in notable pursuit, among others.

While Kentucky has been heavily rumored to be “in” on multiple players in the 2026-27 class, Crowe is the first to have been involved to such an extent. His eventual decision will be the center of attention for the Big Blue Nation when it does finally come.

Sometimes, home is where your connections are, and a big blue thread ties Crowe Jr. to Lexington.

The Kentucky-to-the-NBA pipeline has never been more alive, and former Cats are thriving.

At the start of the NBA playoffs, 14 former Kentucky Wildcats were poised to chase a championship, etching their name into the league’s history books.

Now, as the dust settles after two intense rounds, just four teams remain — each carrying a piece of Big Blue Nation with them.

In the Western Conference finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by presumptive MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and sophomore Cason Wallace, will clash with Julius Randle and rookie Rob Dillingham of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Over in the East, Karl-Anthony Towns has helped lead the New York Knicks to their first conference finals appearance since 2000, where they’ll go head-to-head with the Indiana Pacers.

Though out with a torn Achilles, former Kentucky and current Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson remains a piece of the squad’s Cinderella run to a championship.

This impressive showing guarantees that a team with a former Kentucky Wildcat will win an NBA title for the eighth time since 2000, continuing a tradition carried by legends like Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo and Jamal Murray.

The conference finals tip off with the Timberwolves heading down to face the Thunder in Oklahoma City on May 20 at 8:30 p.m. ET, followed by Pacers-Knicks at Madison Square Garden on May 21 at 8 p.m.

As of now, Gilgeous-Alexander and Wallace are favored to be the next Cats to win it all, with the Thunder holding the best odds at -180 to win the NBA Finals.

Whether it be a seasoned vet or a rising star, one thing holds true: Big Blue Nation will be represented on basketball’s biggest stage.

On Sunday, Koby Brea and Otega Oweh wrapped up their week-long showcase at the NBA Combine in Chicago.

The NBA invited 75 prospects to the showcase, which included various skill based drills, body measurements, and scrimmages. Subsequently, the draft stock for prospects fluctuated based on their performances.

Koby Brea

Standing at 6-foot-5 and three quarters without shoes, Brea was measured as the fourth tallest guard invited to the combine.

Despite being known for his sharp shooting Brea struggled on the day one scrimmage. He shot 2-8 from the field and only scoring five points.

However, Brea improved greatly on day two.

The former Wildcat scored 16 points on 6-12 shooting, which included four 3-pointers. In addition to collecting five rebounds.

In the two scrimmage games, Brea averaged 10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and an assist on 37.5 minutes per game. The guard shot 37% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc.

After the combine, here’s the latest draft projections for Brea.

ESPN – No. 47 (Indiana Pacers)

Bleacher Report – No. 43 (Utah Jazz)

Sports Illustrated – No. 55 (Los Angeles Lakers)

According to ESPN, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated, Brea is a consensus late second-round draft choice. It doesn’t appear to be a matter if Brea will be selected in the draft, rather it’s a matter of where will he go.

Listed at 6-foot-7 with shoes makes Brea an oversized guard, which favors the NBA’s wave of tall guards over the last decade.

Additionally, Brea finished in the NCAA’s top-10 in 3-point percentage over the last two seasons. Making him a deep ball threat to satisfy spacing demands.

Otega Oweh

The wildcard out of the two Wildcat invitees, Oweh claimed the fourth-best shuttle run at the combine amongst guards.

On day one of scrimmages, the Kentucky guard played solid. Finishing with 10 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals. All while only playing 20 minutes.

As for day two, Oweh posted 14 points, five rebounds and two steals. He shot 4-8 from the field including a three.

Oweh finished with an average of 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals per game. While playing an average of 22.5 minutes per game.

From the field, Oweh shot a respectable 50% and a perfect one-for-one from three.

After the combine, here’s the latest draft projections for Oweh.

ESPN – Undrafted

Bleacher Report – Undrafted

Sports Illustrated – No. 58 (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Sports Illustrated is the outlet predicting Oweh’s draft selection, specifically the second-to-last selection.

Oweh’s defensive prowess is promising despite his unspectacular 6-foot-4 frame by NBA measures. An inconsistent 3-point shot likely places the Kentucky guard as a fringe prospect as Oweh tends to find buckets inside the arc.

More than likely, Oweh would sign a two-way contract with a franchise if he commits to the draft. Other Kentucky players have signed a two-way contact after going undrafted, most notably Oscar Tshiebwe in 2023.

Although officially undecided, Oweh must make a decision to enter the draft by May 28.

The NBA Draft is set for June 25 and 26.