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KY Insider Recruiting Update

Published

7 years ago

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Isaiah Todd

Calipari prerecorded his call-in show as he flew to North Carolina Wednesday evening to see a top-10 recruit, 2020 five-star power forward Isaiah Todd. Corey Evans of Rivals.com reported that Todd received an offer from Calipari and the Kentucky coaching staff at the conclusion of the visit.

The Cats missed out on Vernon Carey and James Wiseman in the fall and options are running thin. Kentucky is looking at Todd is a reclassification candidate and to join this year’s class. More news about this possibility should come in the spring or early summer as more recruits make their commitments.

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Todd’s NBA comparison is Chris Bosh and he has the potential, physical tools, and skill-set to be an elite modern NBA Big. Todd has length and excellent quickness in the open court. Todd’s size and athleticism allow him to guard at the rim and with his quickness make him an above average perimeter defender for his position. He has a promising offensive game and is capable of running the pick and pop. However, he needs to work on his body and add strength.

North Carolina is currently leading in the Crystal Ball predictions. However, recruiting guru, Evan Daniels of 24/7 Sports made his Crystal Ball pick and chose Kentucky to land Todd and his services.

Keion Brooks Jr.

All signs are pointing at Kentucky as Keion Brooks’ recruitment seems to be nearing its end, as the momentum Kentucky is riding is stronger than ever.

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The five-star forward is set to make his college decision as soon as this week but expected before the end of February and will choose between Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan State, and North Carolina.

For a long time, the recruitment has been between Kentucky and the Indiana dumpster fire. After visiting Kentucky this past Saturday it’s Kentucky who appears to be in front, and it is reported that the visit could not have gone better.

The 24/7 Sports Crystal Ball favored Indiana for the majority of Brooks’ recruitment but after Saturday’s visit, the tides have turned towards the Cats. The Cats gained the lead with 24/7 Sports recruiting director Jerry Meyer choosing the Wildcats.

Brooks’ 6-7 200-pound frame will pose matchup problems at the college level and will allow him to rebound at a high level for his position. Brooks is a slasher that is able to create his own shot and is most effective from the mid-range area. Brooks has a high basketball IQ and is able to consistently make the right play. Brooks will need to improve his finishing and passing at the college level.

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Other Frontcourt Options

There are two remaining UK targets in the 2019 class, Jaden McDaniels and Matthew Hurt and both have been very quiet in terms of their recruitment. McDaniels a west coast kid is favored to choose Washington and Kansas is said to have been Hurt’s top school but Hurt and his family are being very precautious about the school’s involvement with the major FBI/NCAA scandals.

Both McDaniels and Hurt are extremely offensively talented big men, but need to improve defensively. Hurt is a crafty scorer with a great shot some passing ability and is compared to former Kentucky player Kyle Wiltjer. McDaniels seems like the best prospect between the two and is predicted in the top 3 of most 2021 NBA draft boards. McDaniels is a super long and talented wing who can play either forward position. He’s got a sweet shooting stroke, can handle the ball and knows how to get his own shot.

If all options fall through Kentucky is interested in one more potential reclassification with N’Faly Dante, the #2 ranked center in the 2020 class. Dante is an elite prospect and is considered to be one of the best shot blockers to come through the high school ranks in years. Dante is very raw but has a huge upside, especially on the defensive end. However, Dante is not a consistent threat on the offensive end but Has decent handles and has shown some touch from mid-range with a decent looking stroke.

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Looking Ahead

All signs are pointing towards a Keion Brooks commitment coming soon. The Cats are still the mix for Matthew Hurt or Jaden McDaniels along with Isaiah Todd as a reclassification option, not even to mention a potential graduate transfer. Trust in Cal and this could set up Kentucky to land yet another class ranked No. 1 or 2 in the final rankings.

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BB Recruiting

Kentucky Basketball Receives Prediction to Land International Star Nikola Kusturica

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7 days ago

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June 17, 2026

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

Published

2 weeks ago

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June 7, 2026

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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. 

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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. 

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Fast Riser Big Man Yann Kamagate Receives Scholarship Offer From Kentucky

Published

1 month ago

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May 18, 2026

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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