Mark Pope adds unexpected 2025 recruit to Kentucky basketball's radar

It seems as if we had Kentucky's 2025 basketball recruiting class figured out. It already had two top recruits, Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno. There are the known pursuits, Acaden Lewis, Caleb Wilson, and Chris Cenac. Maybe even a Mikel Brown Jr. or a Nate Amet thrown in. But on a trip to see and check in with already committed Jasper Johnson, another recruit that has been picking up a lot of buzz caught Mark Pope's eye.

Samis Calderon has been flying relatively under the radar in the recruiting world until recently when more and more coaches noticed his play. Pope was one of those, and quickly worked out a way to get him on campus for an official visit.

This is a brand new addition to the list for Kentucky basketball. Recruiting sites don't even have him listed as a player that has been offered by Pope. However, he plans to visit now in November and potentially the second weekend of the month as he will be visiting Kansas the first weekend. Though official dates aren't no

Calderon has his recruitment open right now, meaning he hasn't narrowed his list or announced any finalists. However, he has visited Tennessee, Michigan, and Auburn with plans for both Kansas and Kentucky. These are some of the best recruiting teams in college basketball. With a list like that, he has to be better than advertised.

Part of his rise may be that he is a native of Brazil and came onto the American high school circuit in 2023, playing for Cold Hearts. He is a 6'8 forward with a ton of athleticism and the ability to knock down the outside shot. He seems to be a great fit for what Pope is trying to do at Kentucky. This is why he is now officially on the Kentucky radar and could be a late addition to the class if Pope can woo him to Lexington.