BB Recruiting

Kentucky Basketball Recruiting Update for Class of 2024

Published

3 years ago

March 8, 2023

HoopSeen/© Frank Becerra Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Kentucky basketball team is still on the hunt for their first commitment in the 2024 class. Of the players in 2024 that have been offered by Kentucky, only three have made commitments. None of which ended up picking the Cats.

Most notably was Ian Jackson who picked North Carolina over Kentucky. Others include Tahaad Pettiford who chose Auburn, and Ace Bailey who committed to Rutgers.

However, Kentucky is still in contact with multiple talented prospects in the class and knowing John Calipari, his first big commitment in the class is likely on the horizon.

Particularly, Kentucky has made some head way with two elite prospects in the last week.

Johnuel “Boogie” Fland

On Sunday, head coach John Calipari and assistants Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman made the trip to New York City to watch five-star point guard, Johnuel “Boogie” Fland.

Kentucky 👀 will also be in attendance for ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ PG Boogie Fland’24 @BoogieFland of @step_basketball & @PSACardinals today. #BBN https://t.co/qd3U67OVU9 pic.twitter.com/4WtnwKLdo6— 𝒜𝓃𝒹𝓇ℯ𝓌 𝒮𝓁𝒶𝓉ℯ𝓇 (@Andrew__Slater) March 5, 2023

Fland and his team, Archbishop Stepinac, played in the New York Diocesan Intersectional quarterfinals against Archbishop Molloy. Fland scored 17 points and had 4 steals, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocked shots to lead his team to a 56-52 win.

The elite point guard stands 6-foot-3 inches and 165 pounds. He is the 7th ranked recruit in the 2024 class according to 247Sports Composite.

Fland has a well-rounded game and can create his own shot when necessary. In a recent interview with CatsIllustrated’s David Sisk, Fland compared himself to a former Kentucky star.

“Most definitely. I can name one. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He’s putting it on in the league. He’s very crafty getting buckets. What more can you expect than that?”

Fland has also taken notice to the attention he has gotten from Kentucky throughout the recruiting process.

“It’s been good. It’s been very steady. As you can see they pulled up to the game full staff. I’m very appreciative of that they came and showed support, showing they care, showing they want me at their school backing up what they said.”

Kentucky offered Fland back in July 2022.

As it currently stands, Kentucky appears to be in a good spot with Fland when it comes to recruiting. UConn is also in a competitive position for Fland at this time. He additionally holds offers from 20 other programs at this time.

After missing out on Ian Jackson and still not having a commitment in the class, Boogie Fland is a top priority in Kentucky’s 2024 recruiting class.

Kentucky Reaches Out to Isaiah Evans

Isaiah Evans is a 6-foot-6, 165 pound wing in 2024. He is currently listed as a 4-star recruit on most recruiting databases. However, in 247Sports most recent rankings, he has jumped all the way up to the 10th ranked prospect and 5-star status.

Kentucky has reached out to 2024 5 ⭐️ Isaiah Evans (@IsaiahEvans26)@KentuckyMBB @northmeckbball @TheSkillFactory— Alex Karamanos (@TheCircuitAlex) March 6, 2023

Evans is skyrocketing through the rankings. His most recent feat involved him going for 62 points in the fourth round of the 4A North Carolina playoffs.

Although he is thin, he has shown he has the ability to score at all three levels.

Related Topics:Boogie Fland Isaiah Evans

BB Recruiting

Kentucky Basketball Receives Prediction to Land International Star Nikola Kusturica

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky basketball has taken over as the favorite for Serbian star Nikola Kusturica, a projected lottery pick in 2028, with a prediction backing the Wildcats.

Just when many believed Kentucky’s roster was complete in terms of contributing players, Mark Pope might have an ace up his sleeve.

Last week, it was reported that Kentucky was among the frontrunners to land 6-foot-8 Serbian wing Nikola Kusturica. At the time, Gonzaga was thought to be the team to beat, having a more defined role to offer, compared to Kentucky, who has one remaining roster spot and a good amount of depth in wing positions.

Since then, things have shifted in a big way.

Gonzaga received a commitment from 18-year-old French guard Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa on Sunday. By Tuesday night, the Wildcats received a Crystal Ball prediction from 247Sports’ Travis Branham to land Kusturica, with a confidence level of 7 out of 10.

The 6-foot-8 wing currently plays for FC Barcelona in Spain’s Liga ACB and EuroLeague system. He just turned 17 years old and is reportedly seeking a two-year college opportunity before becoming draft-eligible in 2028, where he is already being projected as a lottery pick.

The on-court résumé speaks for itself. In the 2025 FIBA U16 EuroBasket, he averaged 20 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game while leading Serbia to a championship and was named tournament MVP. He also helped Barcelona capture the Adidas NextGen Finals championship last month, posting 20 points and 10 rebounds in the title game against Real Madrid.

Next, Kusturica will represent Serbia in the FIBA U17 World Cup from June 27 to July 5, and a college decision could come before then.

Mark Pope is carrying a lot of momentum in recent weeks after retaining Malachi Moreno and adding Milan Momcilovic to this season’s roster, as well as landing the first top 10 prospect of his career in Ryan Hampton. If he can close on Kusturica, that would cap off the roster in a significant way and continue to change the narrative around his recruiting ability.

BB Recruiting

Kentucky Earns Commitment From No. 6 Prospect in 2027 Class Ryan Hampton

Published

2 weeks ago

June 7, 2026

Kai McClelland

Photo via UK Athletics

How about a Sunday boom in the recruiting world for you BBN?

Ryan Hampton, the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2027 class, has officially committed to the University of Kentucky! This is Mark Pope’s first top-10 prospect that he’s earned a commitment from.

Hailing from Rockwall, Texas, Hampton recently took an official visit to campus with his family, which began on Friday, June 5 and spilled into Sunday, June 7, his commitment day.

The five-star wing averaged 21.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game during the most recent EYBL Circuit, playing for LivOn and Nightrydas.

Hampton was the first recruit in the 2027 to officially visit with the Wildcats, and now he’s the first to call their shot early and choose the blue and white.

Pope has signed Milan Momcilovic, the No. 2 ranked transfer, and Hampton, his first top-10 high school prospect just in the past week.

It’s been a crazy week for recruiting, with the narrative around Pope’s ability slowing fading as the top guys continue to be attracted to the Kentucky brand.

BB Recruiting

Fast Riser Big Man Yann Kamagate Receives Scholarship Offer From Kentucky

Published

1 month ago

May 18, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Fresh off the first live recruiting period of the offseason, Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats have extended their first scholarship offer of the 2028 class.

Yann Kamagate, a prospect who went from unranked to the top five in 247Sports’ most recent recruiting rankings, received an offer from the Wildcats, he confirmed to KY Insider on Monday.

“Not everyone gets the chance to be seen by greatness,” Kamagate told KY Insider. “I’m grateful for the offer from Kentucky.”

Kentucky assistant coach Mikhail McLean, who works with the Wildcats’ big men and their development, watched Kamagate first-hand this past weekend in the Adidas 3SSB circuit in Mishawaka, Indiana.

The 7-foot big man was the talk of the weekend, displaying a high motor, extreme athleticism — a reported 7-9 winspam — and great feel for the game. On the circuit, he is averaging 13.9 points, a circuit-leading 10.4 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game.

Originally from the West African country of Burkina Faso, Kamagate moved to the United States just a year ago and has only been playing basketball for three years. Now, he is challenging for the top spot in the 2028 class.

He is currently represented by former NBA player and UCLA star Luc Mbah a Moute. Which is relevant as he is currently playing for the California Adidas team, Compton Magic, and attends La Cañada Flintridge (Calif.) St. Francis.

The offer is the latest signal that Mark Pope’s staff is casting a wide and aggressive net this offseason, and targeting players whose trajectories are trending sharply upward. Kamagate fits that profile exactly.