UK Basketball Recruits – Who to Watch For

As we enter the college basketball offseason, let’s take a look at some of the top recruits in the UK. Here are a few players to keep an eye on in the coming years.

UK basketball recruits – Who to Watch For

The Kentucky Wildcats currently have the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class for the 2019-20 season according to 247Sports.

Head coach John Calipari has assembled a class that includes five-Star Prospects Tyrese Maxey Kahlil Whitney,DJ Jeffries, and Boogie Ellis, as well as four-star recruits Jaden McDaniels, Johnny Juzang and Sheldon Kidd.

With so many highly-touted prospects, it’s tough to know who to keep an eye on. Here’s a look at three UK Basketball Recruits who are sure to make an impact next season:

Tyrese Maxey
The 6-foot-3 guard from Garland, Texas is the No. 11 overall prospect in the 2019 class and the highest-ranked recruit in Kentucky’s Recruiting Class He’s a gifted scorer with the ability to create his own shot and finish at the rim. Maxey is also a solid defender and should be able to contribute right away for the Wildcats.

Kahlil Whitney
The 6-foot-7 forward from Chicago is the No. 14 overall prospect in the 2019 class. He’s an elite athlete with a long wingspan and the ability to finish above the rim. Whitney is still raw offensively, but he has the potential to be a very good player in time.

DJ Jeffries
The 6-foot-7 forward from Olive Branch Mississippi is the No. 28 overall prospect in the 2019 class. He’s a versatile player who can play both inside and out. Jeffries is an excellent rebounder and has a nice touch around the basket. He should be able to contribute right away for Kentucky next season.

5-Star Prospects to Watch

In the world of UK Basketball Recruiting there are always a few 5-star prospects that everyone is watching. Here are some of the top recruits in the class of 2021 that Kentucky fans should keep an eye on.

1. Jaden Hardy – Hardy is a 6’5″ shooting guard from Las Vegas Nevada. He is currently ranked as the No. 2 player in the class of 2021 by ESPN. Hardy has already taken an official visit to Kentucky and has said that he plans to take another one before making a final decision.

2. Matthew Hurt – Hurt is a 6’9″ Power Forward from Rochester, Minnesota. He is currently ranked as the No. 3 player in the class of 2021 by ESPN. Hurt has already taken an official visit to Kentucky and has said that he plans to take another one before making a final decision.

3. Tristan Enaruna – Enaruna is a 6’7″ small forward from Overland Park, Kansas. He is currently ranked as the No. 33 player in the class of 2021 by ESPN. Enaruna has already taken an official visit to Kentucky and has said that he plans to take another one before making a final decision.

4. Kennedy Chandler – Chandler is a 6’1″ point guard from Memphis, Tennessee. He is currently ranked as the No. 42 player in the class of 2021 by ESPN. Chandler has already taken an official visit to Kentucky and has said that he plans to take another one before making a final decision

4-Star Prospects to Watch

The UK basketball team is always on the lookout for top talent, and that means keeping an eye on the best recruits in the country. Here are four 4-star prospects who could make their way to Kentucky in the near future:

1. Matthew Hurt (Duke commit) – The 6’9″ forward from Minnesota is one of the most versatile scorers in the country. He can shoot from anywhere on the floor, and he’s also a great rebounder. Duke is currently the favorite to land him, but Kentucky is still in the mix.

2. Zion Williamson – The 6’6″ forward from South Carolina is an explosive athlete who can finish above the rim with ease. He’s also a very good rebounder and shot-blocker. Kentucky is one of his top choices, along with Duke and UNC.

3. Romeo Langford – The 6’5″ guard from Indiana is one of the best pure scorers in the country. He’s got a great mid-range game, and he’s also very good at getting to the basket and finishing through contact. Indiana, Louisville, and UCLA are his three finalists.

4. Bol Bol (Oregon commit) – The 7’2″ center from California is one of the best shot-blockers in the country. He’s also a very good rebounder and has a decent mid-range game. Oregon is currently his favored school, but Kentucky is still in contention.

3-Star Prospects to Watch

As we approach the NCAA Basketball season UK fans will be keeping a close eye on the recruiting process Here are three 3-star prospects to keep an eye on:

Isaiah Jackson: A 6’9″ power forward from Detroit, Jackson is ranked as the #57 player in the class of 2020 by ESPN. He’s a versatile player who can score inside and out, and he’s also a good rebounder. He’s considering Kentucky, Michigan State and Florida State among others.

Dontaie Allen: A 6’7″ wing from Falmouth, Kentucky, Allen is ranked as the #94 player in the class of 2020 by ESPN. He’s a dangerous scorer who can shoot from long range or finish at the rim. He’s considering Kentucky, Louisville, and Purdue, among others.

BJ Boston: A 6’7″ wing from Arlington, Massachusetts, Boston is ranked as the #11 player in the class of 2020 by ESPN. He’s an explosive athlete with a high ceiling. He’s considering Kentucky, Duke, and UCLA, among others.

2-Star Prospects to Watch

Even though 2-star prospects are typically looked at as players who may not have what it takes to be an impact player at the collegiate level, there are still some great 2-star players out there that UK should keep an eye on. Here are a few names to watch for:

1. PG Tyrese Haliburton – A 6’4″ point guard from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Haliburton is a 2-star prospect according to ESPN. He’s a tall point guard that can shoot the ball well and has good vision. He’s currently committed to Iowa State but UK should definitely keep an eye on him.

2. SG Romeo Langford – A 6’5″ shooting guard from New Albany, Indiana, Langford is a 5-star prospect according to ESPN. He’s one of the top recruits in the country and would be a huge get for UK if they could land him. He’s currently undecided, so UK will have to battle it out with some other schools for his services.

3. PF EJ Montgomery – A 6’10” power forward from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Montgomery is a 5-star prospect according to ESPN. He’s a long and athletic big man that can run the floor and block shots He’s currently committed to Auburn, but UK will continue to recruiting him hard until he makes his final decision.

1-Star Prospects to Watch

UK Basketball is currently in the process of recruiting for the upcoming season While there are many talented prospects out there, we wanted to focus on a few 1-star recruits that we think have a chance to make an impact on the program.

PJ Washington is a 6’8″ power forward from Dallas, TX. He’s considered one of the best defenders in his class, and has a high motor that allows him to outwork his opponents on both ends of the floor.

Tyrese Maxey is a 6’4″ guard from Garland, TX. He’s known for his athleticism and explosiveness, and has the ability to score in a variety of ways.

Dontaie Allen is a 6’6″ small forward from Union, KY. He’s one of the best shooters in his class, and has a High Basketball IQ that allows him to make plays for both himself and his teammates.

All three of these prospects have the potential to be difference-makers for UK Basketball, and we’ll be keeping an eye on them as their recruitment process continues.

Unranked Prospects to Watch

There are many talented High School basketball players in the United Kingdom who have the potential to play for a Division I college in the United States Although some of these prospects are highly ranked by recruiting services, others may be flying under the radar. Here is a list of five unranked UK Basketball Recruits to watch for:

1. Jamal Murray – A 6’4″ guard from Kitchener, Ontario, Murray is a versatile player who can score from anywhere on the court. He is also an excellent passer and rebounder for his position.

2. Royce White – A 6’8″ forward from Toronto, White is a physical presence on the court who is not afraid to mix it up with bigger players. He has a nice touch around the basket and is an excellent rebounder.

3. Myck Kabongo – A 6’1″ guard from Scarborough, Ontario, Kabongo is an explosive athlete with superb quickness and agility. He has the ability to penetrate defenses and finish at the rim or dish off to open teammates.

4. Tristan Thompson – A 6’9″ forward from Brampton, Ontario, Thompson is a long and athletic player who runs the floor well and finishes strong around the basket. He is also an active defender and shot blocker.

5. Dwight Powell – A 6’10” forward from Toronto, Powell is a skilled big man with a nice shooting touch from mid-range and three-point range He has Good footwork in the post and is an aggressive rebounder on both ends of the court.

JUCO Prospects to Watch

Every year, the NCAA’s Division I Basketball schools receive hundreds of letters from junior college prospects hoping to earn a spot on a team. While most of these players will never make it to the big time, there are always a few standouts that catch the eye of scouts and coaches. Here are some of the JUCO prospects that you should be keeping an eye on this season.

-Jalen Adams (G)
-Jeffrey Carroll (F)
-Justin James (G)
-Romello White (F)

International Prospects to Watch

There are many talented international prospects in the class of 2019 that have caught the eye of college basketball programs, including UK. Here are a few international recruits to keep an eye on as we approach the 2019-20 season.

five-star center N’Faly Dante from Mali. At 6’11” and 220 pounds, Dante has the size and strength to be a force in the post at the college level. He’s also a talented shot-blocker and rebounder. Dante has offers from UK, Indiana, Kansas, and Oregon, among others.

Hakim Nazari is a 6’8” small forward from France. Nazari is an excellent shooter with good range on his jumper. He also has good ball-handling skills and is a willing passer. Nazari has offers from UK, Georgetown, LSU, and Oklahoma State among others.

Yrondu Musvengane is a 6’7” power forward from the Congo. Musvengane is a physical player who isn’t afraid to mix it up in the paint. He’s also an excellent rebounder and shot-blocker. Musvengane has offers from UK, Auburn, Florida State and USC, among others

What to Expect from UK’s Recruiting Class

In recent years UK’s recruiting classes have been among the best in the nation. This year is no different, as the Wildcats are expected to sign a number of top prospects Here’s a look at who to watch for in UK’s recruiting class

5-star guard Bam Adebayo is one of the top prospects in the country. A native of New Jersey, Adebayo is a 6-foot-10 physical specimen who can play both inside and out. He’s an excellent rebounder and shot blocker, and he has the ability to score around the basket. Adebayo is expected to be a major contributor from day one.

5-star forward Wenyen Gabriel is another top prospect in UK’s class. A native of Sudan, Gabriel is a 6-foot-9 athletic forward who can really run and jump. He’s an excellent rebounder and shot blocker, and he has the ability to score around the basket. Gabriel is expected to be a major contributor from day one.

4-star guard De’Aaron Fox is one of the more intriguing prospects in UK’s class. A native of Texas, Fox is a 6-foot-3 point guard with tremendous speed and quickness. He’s an excellent passer and playmaker, and he has the ability to get to the basket and finish with contact. Fox will have an opportunity to earn significant playing time as a freshman.

4-star forward Sacha Killeya-Jones is another intriguing prospect in UK’s class. A native of Virginia, Killeya-Jones is a 6-foot-10 forward with good size and length. He’s a very good rebounder, and he has decent touch around the basket. Killeya- Jones will have an opportunity to earn significant playing time as a freshman