Pope dishes on the recruits: Class brings talent, fit, and heart to Kentucky basketball

Mark Pope isn’t just rebuilding Kentucky basketball; he’s trying to re-establish what it means to wear Kentucky on your chest. His first recruiting class as head coach is a testament to the balance he seeks out in his players: undeniable talent paired with a character that matches Kentucky’s storied legacy and maybe, most importantly, that they fit the style he wants to play at Kentucky.

Pope said on the recruiting class, “All three of these guys that have jumped in so far are top-level guys in the country, and now they’ve all proven it,” Pope continued, “And then the third thing is they fit us. They fit the way we play on a basketball court. Their skillset really vibes with how we want to attack this game.”

Leading the way is Jasper Johnson, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard ranked No. 14 in the nation.

Johnson’s combination of scoring ability and instinct is rare. “Jasper Johnson is just danger, danger, danger, right? He just is a dangerous gravity guy,” said Pope. Johnson, a five-star talent, demands constant defensive attention while out on the court, but it is more than that. “He’s got a kindness about him that’s really special,” Pope added. “He knows Kentucky. When he pulls on a shirt with Kentucky across the chest, it means something to him.”

At 7 feet tall, Malachi Moreno (No. 29) offers both size and skill.

“Malachi is probably the best center in all of high school basketball,” Pope said. “He’s an elite-level passer, a great human being, and when he gets in the mix, there’s a little bit of violence and determination that’s fun to see.” Moreno’s ability to dominate the paint while facilitating from the high post perfectly matches Pope’s system. Being a Kentucky kid like Jasper, it will mean a lot when they step out on the court looking to hang another banner at Rupp.

Then there’s Acaden Lewis, a 6-foot-2 point guard ranked No. 30

Lewis, who brings a rare combination of leadership and versatility, is also officially signed. “Acaden is a floor general supreme,” Pope said. “His vision is elite, and he’s wildly skilled. He earned everything this summer. And he’s the guy everyone likes—that’s what you want in a point guard.” You need a leader on the court in the point guard position, and Lewis may step right in and replace Lamont Butler in that role.

Beyond their rankings, Pope’s recruits share something deeper: a commitment to the team, for each other, and a passion for the game. For Pope, that’s non-negotiable. “They have an emotional response to putting on a Kentucky shirt. That’s special,” he said.

In Lexington, Pope isn’t just building a roster; he’s building a family, too. And this recruiting class might be the second layer in the new foundation of Kentucky basketball.