Cats stay hot on the recruiting trail
The class of 2026 is beginning to take shape, and Kentucky is positioning itself to make noise with a critical September visit.
Four-star wing Cole Cloer, a 6-foot-7 scorer out of IMG Academy, will take an official visit to Lexington Sept. 17–18.
Cloer, ranked No. 29 nationally in the 247Sports Composite, previously played at Caldwell Academy in North Carolina before transferring to IMG. His recruitment has gone national, with visits also planned for UConn, Florida, UNC, NC State, Arkansas, and Alabama. Quite a list of who's who in college basketball.
Kentucky’s pitch? Come be a focal point in a modern system that values wings who can shoot, slash, and defend.
Senior analyst of On3 Jamie Shaw described Cloer as a “solid straight-line athlete with a developing wing handle” and praised his pull-up jumper. While he’s not elite laterally, Cloer has shown above-the-rim pop in transition and can punish closeouts when defenders overcommit.
He’s also got a smooth shooting release—although balance issues have led to inconsistent three-point results. Those are things Mark Pope can fix.
Still, the frame, the feel, and the raw tools are there. Cloer’s brother played football at Cornell, and academics are expected to play some role in his decision.
Right now, UNC is seen as the favorite, especially with the in-state ties, but Kentucky is trying to make up serious ground. Mark Pope and his staff have prioritized versatile wings who fit their up-tempo, spacing-heavy style. Cloer fits that mold perfectly.
He’s not a finished product yet, but that’s what excites Kentucky’s staff. He has the upside to be a multi-year contributor and a difference-maker in the SEC.
With the visit set for mid-September, the pressure’s on to impress. If the Cats can make a strong push, they might just steal one from the Tar Heels’ backyard.