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Robert Dillingham Talks Kentucky, Says He Is “Ready” to Make a Decision

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Photo By Tristan Pharis

Despite a 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame, Robert Dillingham may be the best scorer in the 2023 class.

This past weekend at Nike EYBL’s Louisville session, Dillingham showed his ability to score at all three levels, showcasing his speed, finishing ability, ball-handling skills, and perimeter shooting which collectively make him the offensive weapon that he is.

Averaging 22.4 points and 2.6 assists per game, Dillingham was one of the leading scorers over the weekend, doing so at a very efficient clip, shooting 56% from the field and 45% from three.

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Another thing fans will like in addition to his electric style of play is his dog mentality and toughness. Dillingham did not back down against anyone or any challenge, reminding me somewhat of Tyler Ulis.

With all momentum trending towards Kentucky in his recruitment, and reports saying he is ready to make a decision, I caught up with Dillingham for an interview. Let’s recap what he had to say.

When you reopened your recruitment following your decommitment from NC State, Chin Coleman told you, “I’m not going to lose you this time”. What does it mean for Kentucky to be so interested in you?

“It definitely means a lot because they were heavily recruiting me before I committed to (N.C.) State, but that doesn’t really lock anything down. I still have my recruitment open to everyone.”

Dillingham also added that he felt a lot of pressure to reclassify, which he is confident he will not do, as he wants to add to use this year to add to his slender frame. With his commitment, he feels like a lot of that pressure will be lifted.

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As far as the schools that Dillingham is referring to, the most recent five that have been in contact include Memphis, Kentucky, Louisville, USC, and Arkansas. Saying he”loves” Penny Hardaway at Memphis, and talks to Coach Nolan Smith and Kenny Payne at Louisville.

How does the staff see you fitting into the roster if you were to commit to Kentucky?

“Really just being an impact player as soon as I come in. I’m pretty sure because that is what I talked to them about. He (Chin) said if DJ were to go there, we would both be impact players, but that is his word he gave me if I was to come there.”

Is playing with DJ Wagner an Intriguing Option? What would it be like?

“For sure. I feel like I’m an unselfish player and can play with anyone and adapt to how they play. He’s a bucket just like me. Playing with Aden (Hollaway, Team CP3 teammate), it’s the same thing. I let him hoop, and I can play with anyone who is a smart guard, honestly… He is a great player and I feel like me and him together, we are both playmakers, and we can both play off each other.”

This is true and good awareness by Dillingham. After watching both guards in person this past weekend and seeing their ability to play on or off the ball, they could share the point guard duties.

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Known as being one of the best offensive playmakers in the class, what are you looking at to expand your game?

“Being a leader and getting bigger, being able to take contact and stuff. Becoming a better pro.”


While a June 24th commitment date has been reported, Dillingham says that is not set in stone, but he has his announcement set for this month and all momentum is trending towards the Cats.

If you hadn’t already, familiarize yourself with Dillingham’s electric style of play and watch Brian Thomas’ breakdown.

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BB Recruiting

Top 20 Prospect Taylen Kinney Set To Visit Kentucky

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James Weber | The Enquirer

Taylen Kinney, one of the top guards in the 2026 class and the No. 1 point guard in Kentucky, will take an official visit with the Wildcats beginning on June 24.

The Newport, Kentucky native has been inserted in a bit of a bidding war with Louisville and other premier schools after his official visit with the Cardinals, but of course the true recruiting powerhouse had to cast a line in hope of a bite.

KSR’s Jack Pilgrim caught a video of Kinney working with Mark Pope one-on-one on the morning of June 17 at the USA U19 Training Camp in Colorado Springs.

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A picture of Kinney, along with Malachi Moreno and Jasper Johnson, two of Kentucky’s incoming freshman on this year’s squad, came out of the camp. Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 player in the class of 2026, who already took a visit to Kentucky recently, was also shown in the picture. All four players are Kentucky natives.

Kinney is a priority for Kentucky, and Pope planting the idea of being a Wildcat in his mind this past weekend certainly builds the hype of his commitment being a future reality.

However, we can’t act like Pat Kelsey hasn’t already beat Pope to the punch, and it may be too late to change Kinney’s mind on being a Cardinal.

“I probably talk to coach Kelsey twice a week,” Kinney said. “He talks to my parents multiple times a week. I talk to the whole staff all of the time.”

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He later added on some words that no Wildcat fan would want to hear.

“They (Louisville’s staff) just told me that I was their guy,” Kinney said. “I fit perfectly into their system, and there’s no other school that I fit better into than them.

A common member of Big Blue Nation would likely think “yeah alright, wait until you get that Kentucky treatment,” and with the climate of today’s recruiting trail, who knows what can happen.

It will likely be a long time before the star guard makes an official decision, but who doesn’t like a good back-and-forth between two rival programs. The bell has already rung, and round one goes to the Cardinals, but the Wildcats are coming out swinging for round two.

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No. 1 Ranked Recruit Takes Official Visit to Kentucky

The top-ranked recruit in the nation, Tyran Stokes, took his official visit to Kentucky following a prior delay.

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Tyran Stokes takes his official visit to Kentucky.
Mark J. Rebilas | Imagn Images

Being from Louisville doesn’t necessarily make you a cardinal, and Mark Pope has set out to prove that in the biggest possible way.

The top-ranked overall recruit in next year’s class, Tyran Stokes, officially took a visit to Lexington on Sunday, June 8. This comes in lieu of many rumors that he’d canceled his visit altogether due to frustration with fans trying to dig for information online.

Last month in a cryptic post on X, Stokes said, “Why can’t y’all give a kid some privacy”. As curious as that was, especially given the proximity to his originally planned visit to Kentucky, it seems that the true issue had no bearing on his choice to hear Coach Pope’s plea. 

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And, as Kentucky fans now know, sometimes that’s all it takes to get a guy in blue and white.

The Louisville native, at 6’7, 230, has become widely renowned for his strong slashing ability as a multi-threat scorer on the wing. Stokes is the sort of player that, nobody who you already have on your team, you make room for him. He’s got an intangible build made for the big leagues, and he’s not even out of high school yet.

Stokes is the kind of guy that’d have NBA scouts sitting court side in Rupp Arena. While that level of national buzz isn’t always a good thing, it’s hard to underscore the possibility, and excitement, of the top recruit in the nation committing to the Cats come 2026.

In the very least, Kentucky is in the race, alongside Kansas and Louisville as heavy pursuers. It’s never too early to look ahead, and, as usual, Pope and staff are doing just that with the biggest names in the game.

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Kentucky Earns Commitment From European Big Andrija Jelavic

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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