Does Kentucky have a closing problem?
When it comes to recruiting, getting elite players on campus is half the battle. The other half is closing the deal. And right now, Kentucky’s batting average under Mark Pope has fans asking questions.
It’s not panic time, but with July in full swing and several top prospects still undecided, Kentucky’s 2026 class is bare. The Cats have 2025 commitments from Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno, and Brayden Hawthorne—three high-upside prospects, but all 4-star. Last year, in Pope's first go around he was able to covince Perry to stay and Noah to flip.
Still, misses are starting to pile up. Jason Crowe Jr., a dynamic guard, is widely expected to choose Missouri, where his father may join the staff. Tay Kinney, a top in-state prospect, is trending toward Louisville. Tyran Stokes? Still a toss-up, but the Cats aren’t the clear favorite. And Kentucky has zero commits so far for 2026.

That last point isn’t unique to Kentucky—no school has truly dominated early 2026 recruiting—but it raises a broader question: is Kentucky struggling to close?
Probably not. Not yet. The recruiting calendar has shifted dramatically, especially with NIL and the Transfer Portal altering roster construction strategies. The absence of the NCAA College Basketball Academy this summer trimmed the evaluation periods to just two (July 10-13 and July 17-20). And the biggest showcase of the summer—the Nike Peach Jam—is still underway.
Let’s be clear: Pope and his staff are doing the work. They’re getting top-tier talent on campus. They’re visible, they’re active, and they’re putting Kentucky in the conversation for major players. If this were Year 3 with minimal traction, it’d be a different conversation. But this is Year 1 (last year wasn't a full off-season), and the foundation is still being laid.
The bigger trend may be strategic. Pope might simply prefer the portal. Proven commodities. Known quantities. That’s how you build quickly in today’s game.
So, does Kentucky have a closing problem? Ask again in February. For now, it’s just part of the process.