Ethan Taylor is the number 1 center in high school basketball
Ethan Taylor might be the most intriguing big man left on Kentucky’s 2026 recruiting board — and Mark Pope will get the final shot to land him.
The 7-footer from the class of 2026 is ranked No. 22 overall by 247sports and has trimmed his list to six schools: Oregon, Oklahoma, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan State, and Kentucky. His recruitment schedule is already set: Oregon (Sept. 5–7), Oklahoma (Sept. 12–14), Indiana (Sept. 19–21), Kansas (Sept. 26–28), Michigan State (Oct. 3–5), and finally, Kentucky (Oct. 10–12).
That’s both an opportunity and a risk for the Wildcats. If Taylor falls in love with an earlier school, there’s a chance he never even makes it to Lexington. But if Pope and his staff can get him on campus, they’ll be the last impression — which can be a powerful advantage.
Taylor’s profile jumps off the page: a 7-foot frame, 7-foot-3 wingspan, good mobility, and emerging skill. He’s a powerful dunker, an effective lob threat, and has a passing touch rare for his size. Defensively, he projects best in drop coverage but has enough agility to hedge when needed. He’s also a strong rebounder who could be even more dominant with more assertiveness.
Adam Finkelstein director of scouting for 247Sports calls him “the most physically gifted big man in the class” — high praise in a deep 2026 crop. He’s still refining his conditioning and post timing, but his upside is massive. That is the kind of player you want on your team.
For Kentucky, the recruitment of Taylor is about more than just adding size. It’s about securing a future centerpiece who can anchor the paint on both ends for years. If Pope can get him to Rupp Arena for that October visit, Big Blue Nation will have a real shot to close the deal.