Kentucky basketball still sits with a goose egg in its 2026 recruiting class commitment column, and after the last 24 hours, the fanbase is starting to feel a familiar pang of anxiety. Mark Pope and his staff are putting in the work, but top targets keep choosing other destinations.
Is this the week the tide finally turns?
Two more swing-and-misses
The recruiting world moves fast, and Tuesday brought a double dose of disappointment for Big Blue Nation. First, top-15 recruit Bryson Howard made official what many suspected, committing to Duke as their first pledge in the 2026 class. "I loved my visit to Duke... we went to Coach Scheyer's house for dinner, and it felt like home," he told ESPN.
Anthony Thompson, the No. 8 player in the country, also announced his commitment to Ohio State, giving the Buckeyes their highest-rated recruit in over a decade. Kentucky was in Thompson's final six but couldn't reel him in.
These misses sting, especially as other blue-bloods start filling out their classes. For now, Kentucky waits.
All eyes on Josh Irving
The focus now shifts squarely to Josh Irving, the 6'10" four-star center from Pasadena, California, who is expected to announce his college decision sometime this week. His final three includes Kentucky, Louisville, and Texas A&M.
Irving is ranked as the No. 4 center in the senior class, known for his soft touch and ability to run the floor. While Louisville appears to be out of the running, the battle between Kentucky and Texas A&M seems tight. Recent rumors suggest the Aggies may hold the edge heading into decision day. Sources indicate Texas A&M is the likely destination, but you never know.
Waiting for the dominoes to fall
Landing Irving would be a significant first step for Pope in the 2026 cycle, because a bare cabinet heading into November is a bit of a worry. A miss, however, would amplify the pressure and shift even more focus onto the remaining elite targets.
Kentucky remains heavily involved with Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 overall player, and Deron Rippey Jr., the top point guard in the class. Landing either of those players would instantly change the narrative.
But for this week, the question is simple: Can Mark Pope finally get Kentucky on the board with Josh Irving? Or will the wait for that first commitment continue? Big Blue Nation holds its breath once again.
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