BB Recruiting

Future Wildcat, Rob Dillingham, Excited to Learn Under Tyler Ulis and Rajon Rondo

Published

3 years ago

February 15, 2023

Ulis: © Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports/Dillingham: UK Athletics/Rondo:© Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

There has been a ton of hype around Kentucky’s 2023 recruiting class, and for good reason. The Wildcats currently have four incoming five-star recruits, and one four-star recruit for next season.

One of the five-star signees that will be making his way to Lexington is Rob Dillingham, who is ranked as the No. 2 point guard and the No. 13 overall prospect in 2023 via 247Sports One thing he is most excited for is the opportunity to learn from two of the best point guards to ever play at the University of Kentucky.

Coach Tyler Ulis and Coach Rajon Rondo

Back in December, former Kentucky point guard Tyler Ulis joined the Kentucky coaching staff as a graduate assistant. In the coming months, former Wildcat and NBA veteran Rajon Rondo is expected to join the staff on the same terms.

Tyler Ulis played at Kentucky for two seasons, 2014-15 and 2015-16. In his sophomore season, he averaged 17.3 points per game. He went on to win the Bob Cousy award for the nation’s best point guard. He also won SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year in that season after tallying 51 steals and recording 246 assists.

Rajon Rondo played at Kentucky for two seasons as well, 2004-05 and 2005-06. He averaged 9.65 points and 4.2 assists per game during his time in Lexington. Rondo would go on to the NBA to have a very successful career. He was a four-time NBA All-Star, four-time NBA All-Defensive team honors, and two NBA championships (Boston Celtics – 2008, Los Angeles Lakers – 2020).

“We’re learning from greats”

Dillingham was recently interviewed by Kentucky Sports Radio where they asked him about his opportunity to be coached by the two Kentucky legends.

“That’s just amazing that could even happen,” Dillingham said. “Tyler Ulis won [SEC] Defensive Player of the Year and player of the year. Then, you’ve got Rondo, who was one of the greatest guards of all time. We’re learning from greats.”

“We’re also learning from Coach Cal,” he continued. “We have guard play. We’re all going to learn how to play within the system and use our talent at the same time. I feel like Rajon and Tyler will help us with that easily because they’ve already done it.”

Kentucky recently hosted Dillingham for an official visit when Kansas came to town on January 28th. Although the Wildcats lost the matchup, it was a positive experience for Dillingham as he was recognized on the court at halftime.

Dillingham said, “It was crazy. I’m in the middle of the court with 20-some thousand fans. I don’t even know how to explain it. You’re just looking around like I’m excited.”

It is likely that the starting point guard position will be up for grabs next season. Cason Wallace is headed for the NBA, and it is likely that Sahvir Wheeler will transfer or forego his final season of eligibility to begin a professional career of his own.

If Kentucky decides to play fellow five-star signee DJ Wagner off the ball, the point guard spot could very well fall into Dillingham’s hands.

Related Topics:Rajon Rondo Rob Dillingham Tyler Ulis

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.