Kentucky Wildcats Basketball

Kentucky star Otega Oweh could be joining the professional ranks after a phenomenal season with the Wildcats.

Oweh, who just played his third season of college basketball, declared for the 2025 NBA Draft but is maintaining his eligibility, he announced on his Instagram.

Kentucky’s Otega Oweh will enter the 2025 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility, per his IG page.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 15, 2025

“To the best fans in the nation, the Big Blue Nation – Getting to play the game I love each day, knowing I have your support alongside my family and friends, has truly been a dream come true, and I am incredibly blessed,” he said in a statement on Instagram. “I’m taking the next step and have declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, while maintaining my NCAA eligibility.”

Oweh, who spent the first two seasons of his career with Oklahoma before transferring to Mark Pope's squad ahead of the 2024-25 season, had a breakout year with the Wildcats. He put up a career-high 16.2 points and 4.7 rebounds, leading the team in scoring. He posted 20-plus points 13 times this season, including a 20-point outing against Troy in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

While Oweh has turned into a fantastic college player, it's hard to gauge where he might land should he keep his name in the NBA Draft. He's a solid scorer but posted average numbers from deep, shooting 35.5 percent from behind the three-point line. That, coupled with the fact that he's a bit undersized to be an NBA shooting guard at 6'4", means he might not be climbing up scouts' draft boards.

Still, it's never a bad idea to test the draft waters while maintaining eligibility. Oweh will have the chance to work out with other pro hopefuls and get some feedback from NBA scouts. If he shows out at the combine, he could end up on a roster next season. If not, Pope will welcome him back to Lexington with open arms as the Wildcats look to build off a solid year.

One year after backing out of a commitment to Kentucky following John Calipari's departure from the school, Jayden Quaintance has decided he wants to play in Lexington.

Haminn Quaintance, Jayden's father, told ESPN's Jonathan Givony on Tuesday that his son has committed to the Wildcats.

Jayden entered the transfer portal last week after one season at Arizona State. It was also revealed at that time he underwent surgery on March 19 to repair a torn ACL.

Haminn told Givony last week that Jayden projects to be cleared for contact in September, putting him on track to potentially be available for the start of the 2025-26 season.

Quaintance, who reclassified to be in the 2024 recruiting class, was the youngest player in Division I college basketball last season. He won't turn 18 until July 11.

247Sports had Quaintance ranked as a 5-star recruit and No. 9 overall player in the 2024 class. It also had him as the sixth-best player in the transfer portal this year.

When Quaintance originally reclassified, he committed to Kentucky in November 2023. Following Calipari's departure in April 2024, Quaintance was released from his letter of intent and opted to attend Arizona State.

Since NBA rules require players turn 19 during the calendar year they are drafted, Quainance isn't eligible to turn pro until 2026. B/R's Jonathan Wasserman had him ranked as the ninth-best prospect in the 2026 class in a very-early top 20 released last November.

Despite being incredibly young for a college player, Quaintance didn't look overmatched as a freshman. He averaged 9.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and recorded six double-doubles in 24 starts for the Sun Devils.

Quaintance is the seventh different player who is committed to Kentucky for next season between the transfer portal and incoming freshman class. He joins a group that includes Mouhamed Dioubate, Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno.

The Wildcats finished 24-12 in their first season under head coach Mark Pope. They earned a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament and lost to Tennessee in the Sweet 16.

The SEC schedule has not been kind to Mark Pope and his Kentucky Wildcats.

Ole Miss responded to Saturday's loss against top-ranked Auburn in a major way, upsetting Kentucky 98-84 on Tuesday night in a game they led by as many as 27 points.

Matthew Murrell led the way for the Rebels with 24 points, while Dre Davis added 17 points and Jaylen Murray chipped in with 15 points and 10 assists.

Otega Oweh (24 points, six rebounds), Jaxson Robinson (18 points) and Amari Williams (12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) led the way for Kentucky, which has now dropped five of its last eight games in SEC play.

That had fans riled up on Tuesday, with much of the ire directed toward Pope:

Mark pope is officially on fraud watch

— Only Calipari Can Save Us (@HeartBreakHogs) February 5, 2025

Mark Pope needs to learn how to coach defense. It’s going to be the downfall of this Kentucky Wildcat team. They are too talented to be this pathetic on the defensive end

— Let’s Talk Sports (@LTSports80) February 5, 2025

Second half was better, yes. But that first half was an embarrassment to Kentucky Basketball.

We better stomp South Carolina on Saturday. No excuses

— Big Blue Nation #BBN (@Big_BlueNation_) February 5, 2025

Kentucky might be in trouble without Cal

— crackertalksball (@PHDcracker) February 5, 2025

https://twitter.com/Suttid48/status/1886953587991044354

Mark Pope is absolutely nothing like Rick Pitino and that’s partly why this team is mind numbingly soft. https://t.co/ZUWIVuhewv

— Gavin Downard (@GavinDownard) February 5, 2025

Just play the best players and this doesn’t happen. Perry and Chandler cannot handle this level of basketball yet.

What a shame that Pope, who apparently is so intelligent, has not realized this.

— Kentucky Blue Source (@kybkueource) February 5, 2025

Will Kentucky finish the regular season in the top 25? That's a real question we have to ask ourselves now.

— BIG BLUE DUDE (@Kyduder) February 5, 2025

Back to back Kentucky games I’ve turned off. Embarrassment from Mark Pope and staff…..these are no excuses games. Pitiful. Pathetic. Embarrassing.

— CoachesCards (@CardsCoaches) February 5, 2025

Hanging my head low tonight Kentucky looked like a high school team and it hurts to say that but fact are facts

— James (@James1890524370) February 5, 2025

Did Arkansas break Kentucky? People are asking!

— JC Hoops (@JacksonCollier) February 5, 2025

It's been a rough few days for Kentucky fans. On Saturday, the Wildcats lost to a mediocre Arkansas team, 89-79, which is of course coached by former Kentucky head honcho John Calipari. That one stung.

Then came Tuesday's effort, as Kentucky continued to struggle on the defensive end. Ole Miss deserves some credit for playing fantastic team offense—the Rebels finished with 24 assists to just one turnover and shot 13-of-30 from three (43.3 percent)—but Kentucky didn't exactly make life difficult for the Rebs.

The Wildcats will have a very winnable matchup against South Carolina (10-12) on Saturday before a rough stretch starting next week that includes matchups against Tennessee, Texas, Vanderbilt, Alabama, Oklahoma, Auburn and Missouri.

The Wildcats better figure out how to stop the bleeding, and fast, or the rest of the SEC schedule is going to chew them up.

Ohio State football wasn't the only Buckeye team with a big game on Saturday night.

The Buckeyes men's basketball team entered Rupp Arena and took a dominant 85-65 victory over No. 4 Kentucky to improve to 8-4 on the season.

I THINK WE GOT OUR SWAGGER BACK 🗣️

Ohio State takes down #4 Kentucky in the CBS Sports Classic behind a career high 30 points from @Bruce2T_ ! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/vQ9nPfkAaJ

— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 22, 2024

The Buckeyes pull off the upset at the Garden!

A convincing win for @OhioStateHoops as they take down No. 4 Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/yvpjqElVc9

— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) December 22, 2024

This was the second loss of the season for Kentucky and the first since a Dec. 3 loss to Clemson.

Bruce Thornton was the star of the day for Ohio State as he scored 30 points with four rebounds and three assists. John Mobley Jr. had 15 points with three rebounds, three assists and two steals while Aaron Bradshaw had 11 points with two rebounds and two steals off of the bench.

Kentucky was led by 21 points from Otega Oweh and Andrew Carr had 13 points. Shooting was the clear issue for the Wildcats, as the team shot just 29.8 percent on field goals and a paltry 18.2 percent from three-point range.

Fans took to social media to criticize the poor performance and debate whether the Wildcats are overrated or not.

Last Saturday, Ohio State lost by 38 points to Auburn in Atlanta.

Today, it beat Kentucky by 20 at MSG.

Anarchy?

Nope. Just College Basketball. https://t.co/UrOKT6xLHG

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 22, 2024

Mississippi State should be ranked over Kentucky in basketball.

— Dudy Noble Field (@DudyNobleField) December 22, 2024

Ohio State hoops beat Kentucky by HOW MUCH?

— Robert Gasser Truther (@CyGasser) December 22, 2024

Kentucky lost by 20 to Ohio State.
🙋‍♂️ I thought they were a number one seed already?

— Maxwins (@MaxwinsRacing) December 22, 2024

Kentucky got smacked by 20 by a 7-4 team who has lost 2 games by 30+? pic.twitter.com/StFPw5vceD

— WarMachine2013 (@WarMachine2013) December 22, 2024

John Calipari didn't lose his 2nd game of the season until 29 games into his Kentucky tenure. Mark Pope lost his 2nd game of the season after 12 games into his Kentucky tenure🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/bHEDVAeaWR

— John Nabors (@JohnNaborsShow) December 22, 2024

Just ripped my future father in laws tv out of the wall. Caused a massive scene and now my fiance has asked me to leave and we will discuss our current situation tomorrow.

Kentucky Basketball ruined my life.

— Keg. (@GratefulKeg) December 22, 2024

Kentucky Basketball today pic.twitter.com/D13uPMvsG3

— KG (@__NotKG) December 22, 2024

Kentucky is 5-20 on layups tonight. Feels like there is a lid on the basket.

— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) December 22, 2024

Kentucky looks absolutely horrible. Like they thought they were going to NYC just for fun and forgot they had a game.

Looks like Calipari offense.

— College Basketball Wire (@CBBWire) December 22, 2024

Am I encouraged by tonight’s performance? Obviously not. It stunk.

However, I KNOW that college basketball games exist in a vacuum. How you look in one game has NOTHING to do with how you look in the next one.

This Kentucky team is a Top 10-15 team in the country. Period. https://t.co/eYZPf2PKRB

— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) December 22, 2024

Remember, guys:

Only Kentucky basketball is allowed to skate into the postseason because of an easy conference. No one else is allowed. They're the bluest of blue, no matter how badly they would have gotten smoked in the old Big East.

Dumbest fanbase on the planet. Not close.

— Kentavious Tripleflips (@GmingClipz) December 21, 2024

One of the worst halves I’ve seen a Kentucky basketball team play in a long time. Putrid in every conceivable way.

20 minutes to avoid tarnishing your resume with a bad loss.

— Gavin Downard (@GavinDownard) December 21, 2024

If you guys knew the record of Kentucky basketball losing whenever I bet on them yall would hate me because I decided to bet on them today for the first time this season. pic.twitter.com/aoQieX82jp

— shyannajude (@shyannajude) December 22, 2024

Worst half of basketball this season for Kentucky? Probably, but I think you have to give the Ohio State defense a lot of credit for it.

— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) December 21, 2024

Kentucky got wrecked on the national stage and now gets 10 days to let it marinate. Doesn't get much uglier than that.

29.8 percent shooting and 18.2 percent from three. Mark Pope has complained about 3-point volume for weeks and again took just 22.

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) December 22, 2024

seeing Ohio St beat Kentucky by 20 when a week ago they got destroyed by Auburn by 38 is wild.

yes, I know Aaron Bradshaw played tonight for OSU, however they were without Meechie Johnson.

college basketball, man!

— brandie (@brandieeemac) December 22, 2024

The Buckeyes will take this marquee victory into Big Ten play in the new year and will hope the momentum can carry the team into the tournament for the first time since 2022.

Kentucky, meanwhile, will hope to rebound from the loss and be prepared for several Top 25 matchups during SEC play.

The SEC went 9-1 in the SEC/ACC Men's Challenge on Tuesday.

And that one loss came from the conference's most accomplished program.

Clemson stunned No. 4 Kentucky 70-66 and Littlejohn Coliseum in Tuesday's final clash between the ACC and SEC. It was the first loss of the season for Mark Pope's 7-1 Wildcats, while the Tigers improved to 8-1.

Ian Schieffelin notched a double-double of 11 points and 20 rebounds for the victors, although he was an ugly 4-of-20 from the field. He was one of four Tigers who scored in double figures, as Chauncey Wiggins (12 points) and Jaeden Zackery (11 points and four steals) also helped lead the way.

Otega Oweh did what he could for the Wildcats with 17 points and seven boards, but the offense struggled as a whole while shooting 38.1 percent from the field and 25.9 percent from deep.

Social media had some thoughts on the performance:

That was a very winnable game. I don’t think that Clemson team is all that good. But they totally out worked Kentucky

Still worry the Cats don’t have a guy who can go get his own shot at key moments against good defensive teams

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) December 4, 2024

I think a lot of the performance tonight is credit to Clemson, a poor shooting night for Kentucky, and 1st half foul trouble. Not a ton of huge coaching mistakes.

The one I will point out is the lack of Koby Brea minutes. He might be a minus defender, but he needs to get shots.

— WT - Lamont Enthusiast (@WildcatsTongue) December 4, 2024

24% from 3.

Just a nasty, nasty performance.

— The Kentucky Network (@KentuckyNet) December 4, 2024

We’re supposed to be scared of this Kentucky team?… pic.twitter.com/OWW6pICbKF

— Moose (@VolMoose2) December 4, 2024

https://twitter.com/RealSamRoberts/status/1864173772766322702

I believe Kentucky and Mark Pope will figure it out, but this is definitely a frustrating loss for sure. #BBN

— Chris Beasmore (@CBeasmoreSports) December 4, 2024

Unpopular opinion alert. Kentucky would get better minutes out of Travis Perry than they get out of Kerr Kriisa.

— Steve Quattrocchi (@RealCoachQ) December 4, 2024

Tonight would be my biggest worry about Kentucky in March against a team like Clemson that will strangle the game into the half court

— Stuckey (@Stuckey2) December 4, 2024

Hahaha Kentucky lost to Clemson??? Big bad Kentucky only scored 66 points? The only SEC team to lose in the SEC vs ACC challenge?

What an embarrassment! 😂😂😂

— Jacob W (@Jacoby_27) December 4, 2024

Big time win for Clemson over Kentucky. Tigers have played at a high level all season and get that validating victory.

Schieffelin was one of four Clemson players in double figures with a massive double-double (11 pts, 20 rebs). Also held Kentucky to just 7/28 from deep

— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) December 4, 2024

Kentucky may have entered the game as the undefeated powerhouse, but Clemson set the tone in the early going.

The Tigers built a 37-30 halftime lead as Schieffelin dominated the boards. He was a point away from a double-double at intermission with nine points and 13 rebounds, while Zackery found his stroke from deep and created turnovers on the defensive side.

Clemson's defense made life particularly difficult on Kentucky's outside shooters, which prevented the visitors from establishing an offensive rhythm.

JZ FOR 3!!! JZ FOR 3!!!

📺ESPN pic.twitter.com/4wKgHwFWg6

— Clemson Basketball (@ClemsonMBB) December 4, 2024

It was only a matter of time before the Wildcats made a run, though, and Oweh took over early in the second half. He hit from deep and got inside the lane as his team took the lead within the first five minutes after halftime.

Yet the Tigers didn't fold and instead had an answer seemingly every time Kentucky was about to seize control.

CHAUNCEY. WIGGINS. BAM.

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/rAWY8wrx5i

— Clemson Basketball (@ClemsonMBB) December 4, 2024

One of those answers with less than five minutes remaining was particularly loud, as a layup from Wiggins and then an and-1 from Zackery extended the advantage to eight. Zackery did a little bit of everything for stretches with an assist on a Viktor Lakhin triple and multiple transition opportunities.

Back-to-back baskets from Kentucky cut the deficit to four, but the visitors went cold when it mattered most. Lamont Butler's three-pointer with two seconds left was their only field goal in the last three minutes, which underscored the overall shooting woes.

They will look to bounce back in a high-profile showdown with Gonzaga on Saturday.

Four-star point guard recruit Acaden Lewis has committed to Kentucky, he announced on Saturday in a livestream with On3.

Lewis is ranked as the No. 30 overall prospect and No. 5 point guard in the Class of 2025, according to On3 Industry Rankings.

He chose to join the Wildcats over offers from other programs including Duke, UConn, UNC, Syracuse, Michigan, Tennessee, Auburn, Georgetown and UVA, per On3's Joe Tipton.

BREAKING: Top-30 recruit Acaden Lewis, one of the top point guards in the country, has committed to Kentucky, he tells @On3Recruits.

The 6-1 senior out of Washington, DC held offers from Duke, UConn, UNC, and more. https://t.co/hnueZr5Zh7 pic.twitter.com/rH9DsCrWPw

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) November 2, 2024

Lewis is currently a senior at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC. He said he will wear No. 55 at Kentucky in honor of former NBA guard Jason Williams, per Tipton.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuWDOwdn9wA

Lewis told ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi that he had made the decision to join Kentucky in part because he would have the opportunity to "play a priority role early as their point guards are all leaving" after players like Rob Dillingham left for the 2024 NBA draft.

"I love the system they run, it's fast-paced and allows guards to make reads and run the team, and allows freedom while still having rules," Lewis told ESPN.

Lewis' commitment marks the latest recruiting success for Mark Pope, and could potentially help Kentucky compete with other programs including the back-to-back defending national champions at UConn and the No. 1 recruiting class headlined by Cooper Flagg at Duke.

Pope has also received commitments from two other four-star players in shooting guard Jasper Johnson and center Malachi Moreno to mark three top-30 prospects heading into Kentucky's 2025 class.

The Wildcats are also reportedly in the running for five-star power forward Caleb Wilson, who is ranked as the No. 6 overall recruit in the Class of 2025 by On3.

After committing to Kentucky in September, Johnson made a public pitch for Wilson to join the Wildcats:

My guy💯 https://t.co/mlK2cAoroN

— Caleb Wilson (@CalebWilson2025) September 18, 2024

Wilson then brought Lewis into the conversation:

🤷👀 https://t.co/OFPzxhWbTy

— Acaden Lewis (@AcadenLewis) September 18, 2024

Now Lewis has pledged to join the Wildcats, which Pope could be hoping will prove to be the difference in a recruiting battle for Wilson.

Wilson's other top choices are UNC, Auburn, Duke, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, UCF, USC, Oregon, Arkansas, Ohio State, and Alabama. He is expected to make a decision before 2025, per KSR's Zack Geoghegan.

Those boos from the Kentucky faithful when Rick Pitino returned to college basketball to coach archrival Louisville?

A thing of the past.

Pitino returned to Rupp Arena in familiar Wildcats colors Friday as part of Big Blue Madness ahead of the 2024-25 campaign. He addressed the crowd in what was clearly an emotional moment for him and was met with raucous applause.

The former Kentucky coach led the Wildcats from the 1989-90 season through the 1996-97 one. His 1995-96 team won the national title and just so happened to feature current Kentucky head coach Mark Pope.

Welcome back home, @RealPitino pic.twitter.com/7rli4AZctw

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 12, 2024

Welcome back to @Rupp_Arena, @RealPitino pic.twitter.com/Sa947xcKvo

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 12, 2024

"I am so happy to be back," Pitino said Friday (h/t Ben Roberts of the Lexington Herald-Leader). "I said before I pack it in, in coaching, I want to go back to Camelot for one more time. And there's no way I can return better. This is one of the best nights I've had in a long time, because I visit all my players. I visit the fans that made me happy for every single day for eight years."

He also didn't hesitate to praise the Wildcats current coach and his former player.

"And now we get to root for a gentleman that—there have been a lot of great coaches here, a lot of great ones—but we get to root for someone that that name Kentucky is what he's all about," he said.

"It's not about Pope. You'll never hear him say. The most selfless, humble young man I've ever coached in my lifetime. One of the great, great examples of what Kentucky basketball is all about. Mark Pope is going to lead you to greatness, in every sense of the word."

Thank you Big Blue Nation. One of the most emotional nights of my life. So happy to be with my guys in Camelot.

— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) October 12, 2024

Pitino is a Kentucky legend thanks to his eight seasons of coaching that also included three Final Four appearances, two SEC regular-season crowns and five SEC tournament titles. He eventually left to coach the Boston Celtics, but it was his return to college basketball that didn't sit well with Kentucky fans for many years.

After all, he returned to coach Louisville and was met with boos when his Cardinals teams played at Rupp Arena.

There was no booing Friday, and he is clearly back in the fanbase's good graces as the Pope era begins.

The 2014-15 Kentucky Wildcats boasted one of the most dominant teams of all time, posting an undefeated regular season behind a star-studded roster.

But as dominant as it was, Kentucky fell short of its ultimate goal of winning a championship. The Wildcats lost to top-seeded Wisconsin in the Final Four to end their magical run.

Karl-Anthony Towns, a member of that Kentucky team, has gone on to have a successful NBA career, but he admitted the loss still haunts him on a recent appearance on Club Shay Shay.

"That game still hurts. I still haven't watched it, I can't," Towns told Shannon Sharpe (9:30 mark). "It's one of those painful memories that I think we both have as playing as professionals, and I even say in college as well. That game probably hurt the most, and that's something that stuck with me."

For Towns, the thing that stung the most was falling short of his goal in front of his family, who put him in a position to play at the collegiate level.

"What really hurt us the most was, like I said not only seeing each other and understanding this may be the last time we ever play with each other and be able to have this opportunity, but when you have to go home from the arena and see your families in the lobby, it hurt..." Towns said. "Not being able to bring that trophy home for them, I think that really, really hurt."

The 38-1 Wildcats had six players selected in the 2015 NBA draft with four going in the first round. Many of those players have gone on to have fruitful careers like Towns, Devin Booker and Willie Cauley-Stein.

As much NBA success as they have had, the sting of falling short of a championship will always stick with them.

The famed annual preseason Big Blue Madness celebration for the Kentucky men's and women's basketball teams will feature a unique twist this year.

Kentucky announced on Wednesday that Big Blue Madness will be the first college basketball event to be held on ASB GlassFloor, which is an LED video floor that allows for interactive elements. Wildcats men's basketball head coach Mark Pope reacted to the announcement on social media:

This is something that’s never been seen in college basketball before. Big Blue Madness is one of the great spectacles in all of sports. We are so excited for @KentuckyMBB to be the first college program to partner with @asbglassfloor, bringing this exciting technology to BBN.… https://t.co/ag58oFd4o8

— Mark Pope (@CoachMarkPope) September 25, 2024

Big Blue Madness will tip off on Oct. 11 inside Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. The event provides fans with an introduction to Kentucky men's and women's basketball teams, both of which have first-year head coaches this season in Pope and Kenny Brooks, respectively.

"We look forward to putting on a show for Big Blue Nation at our first Big Blue Madness with the ASB GlassFloor as part of the spectacle," Brooks said in a release. "Big Blue Madness is famous throughout the college basketball world. Since we saw the ASB GlassFloor at the U19 World Cup last year we've been intrigued by the possibilities playing on this court. We're excited to add this exciting technology to what promises to be an entertaining night in Rupp Arena."

The ASB GlassFloor has previously been used during 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, the 2024 Basketball Champions League Final and the 2023 FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup. The interactive applications on the court give fans fun new avenues to involve themselves in the event.

Pope, who is replacing longtime head coach John Calipari following his departure for Arkansas, will have an experienced roster for the 2024-25 campaign that features six fifth-year players, one senior, one junior, one sophomore and three freshmen. Calipari's squads were known for their youth with highly-touted freshmen leading the way, so Pope is bringing a new culture to Lexington.

The Kentucky men's basketball team went 23-10 last season and was upset in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The women's team went 12-20 and missed the tournament for the second straight year.

Jasper Johnson, one of the top guards in the 2025 recruiting class, committed to Kentucky on Thursday.

BREAKING: Jasper Johnson, the No. 12 overall recruit in the country, is going back home and has committed to the Kentucky Wildcats, he tells @247Sports.

Story: https://t.co/jsyP40nW4h pic.twitter.com/lTHzd0gFQ7

— Travis Branham (@TravisBranham_) September 5, 2024

At 6'4" and 175 pounds, Johnson is a 5-star recruit who is ranked as the No. 2 shooting guard and No. 10 overall player in the 2025 class, per 247Sports' Composite rankings. He decided between Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina and Louisville on Thursday.

Johnson also received offers from Illinois, Indiana, Memphis, Kansas and West Virginia.

The Kentucky native already had multiple connections to the Wildcats before making his decision as his father, Dennis, was previously a defensive lineman at the school. His uncle was also a former Wildcat.

Johnson visited the school on Feb. 9 and returned to Kentucky's campus in July after Mark Pope was hired as the team's new head coach.

pic.twitter.com/hpHmH8JmAk

— Jasper Johnson (@BruhJasperJ) February 10, 2024

The 18-year-old enjoyed meeting Pope.

"I liked it a lot," Johnson said, per Jack Pilgrim of On3.com. "Pope gave me a message that he really is prioritizing me and he wants to coach me. I really liked seeing their offense in practice, seeing a lot of new faces. They've got a whole new team. I'll be very interested to see how they do this season, but I really enjoyed my visit."

He's able to use his 6'8" wingspan to create his own looks off the dribble and has also thrived as a catch-and-shoot option. During his junior season at Link Academy, he connected on 41 percent of his three-point attempts (via 247Sports' Adam Finkelstein).

Johnson recently averaged 10 points per game while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from behind the arc for the United States during the FIBA U18 AmeriCup in June, winning a gold medal.

He joins center Malachi Moreno in Kentucky's incoming 2025 class following his decision.