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.
"I'm not coaching a point guard, I'm coaching Acaden Lewis." - It's so crazy that I've never really heard coaching or a recruiting pitch expressed that way. He's so insightful and I'm really looking forward to seeing how these guys develop under Pope. pic.twitter.com/i8bsUnyaKA
— Rare Rookies #BBN (@rarerookies) November 14, 2024
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.”
Jasper Johnson showcased his pure scoring abilities against Fear Of God Athletics last night 🪣 @BruhJasperJ pic.twitter.com/QT37tG8lmB
— Overtime Elite (@OvertimeElite) November 10, 2024
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.
BBN, I CAN’T WAIT💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/6UlPmPNNs8
— Malachi Moreno (@malachimoreno24) October 27, 2024
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.
Acaden Lewis just committed to Kentucky! 🚨
— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) November 2, 2024
The 4⭐️ guard is the #1 ranked player in DC 🔥@AcadenLewis @slam_university pic.twitter.com/a3KqT6XYNb
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.
Four-star Malachi Moreno recently talked about how in-state freshmen Trent Noah and Travis Perry told him about how great of an experience playing at Kentucky has been 👀💙 pic.twitter.com/Oa7HgXOB0i
— Kentucky Hoops (@kentuckyhoopsig) July 1, 2024