Kentucky basketball is still searching for its first commitment in the 2026 class, but as we get deeper into November, the momentum is undeniably building. In recent weeks, the Wildcats have made the top 3 for No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes and 5-star Christian Collins, and the buzz around Caleb Holt is tightening.
That momentum continued this week, as another elite 5-star playmaker officially put Kentucky in his final group of schools. But before Big Blue Nation gets too excited, there’s a bit of a catch we have to discuss.
A talented target with a tough catch
Five-star wing Maximo Adams announced his Top 4 finalists, and Kentucky made the cut alongside North Carolina, Texas, and Michigan State.
NEWS: 2026 Top-20 overall recruit Maximo Adams is down to four schools, he tells @Rivals.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) November 3, 2025
The 6-7 small forward has completed official visits to each of his finalists. https://t.co/baXpx7DEQ9 pic.twitter.com/1ioEYou2tt
Getting into the final four for a player of Adams' caliber is a clear win for Mark Pope and his staff. However, the catch is a significant one: North Carolina is almost universally considered the heavy favorite to land his commitment.
Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports provides the scouting report on why Adams is such a coveted prospect:
"While Adams has a very versatile offensive attack, he has a few clear weapons. First, he’s an exceptional mid-range shooter off the dribble. He can create space with his handle, but has very advanced footwork... He’s even a threat to make some tough one-foot step backs from 12-15 feet and now starting to makes threes off the dribble. He’s also a pick-and-pop threat to the arc... and make reliable decisions."
In short, he's a polished, three-level scorer who fits the modern game perfectly. That kind of scoring ability is key for Mark Pope's offense to work.
While landing Adams would be a massive steal, Kentucky's inclusion on this list is, for now, more a sign of the program's national respect under Pope than a guarantee. As we've seen, recruiting can change in an instant, but BBN should probably keep its focus on the more realistic top targets like Tyran Stokes. Still, as long as the Cats are in the final group, they have a puncher's chance and you never know what can happen.
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