Kentucky has been the bridesmaid but not the bride so far in the 2026 recruiting class, consistently making the final list for elite targets but just missing out. Tyran Stokes, Christian Collins, Maximo Adams are all elite talent who just listed Kentucky in their group of finalists within the last week.
Now, another elite talent has put the Wildcats in his final group.
Cats target 5-star Baba Oladotun
Baba Oladotun, a 5-star and former No. 1 player in the 2027 class before reclassifying to 2026, has announced his top 4: Kentucky, Maryland, Georgetown, and Arkansas.
Mark Pope would love to make the 6'10" Oladotun his first commitment of the 2026 cycle. He is an elite defensive prospect with a wide-ranging offensive skill set. There is no team that would not line up to get what Oladotun can bring.
“I can spread the floor,” Oladotun told Zags Blog this summer. “I can play any position on the court... And the three ball is definitely one of the best parts of my game, my ability to spread the floor.” That ability at his height to guard 1-5 and play 1-5 on offense is something you just don't see all the time.
The competition is stiff, as you would expect. Maryland is considered by many to be the current leader, and a familiar name made a late push and visit. That's right, our old friend Arkansas coach John Calipari recently met with Oladotun at his school.
final 4!! ❤️💛🩶💙 pic.twitter.com/K6Y7aguw2h
— Baba Oladotun (@babaoladotun_) November 4, 2025
Oladotun, a top 15 player in the class of 2026, has not set a decision date, but usually when a recruit comes out with their final grouping of schools it is never too far away.
For Mark Pope, a recruiting win for a player of Oladotun's caliber would be a massive statement as he continues to build the program's future heading into year 3 and beyond.
Will Kentucky finally land a commitment in 2026? Stay tuned.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion