The basketball world lit up recently when Jason Crowe Jr., the electric 6'3" point guard from California, dropped a jaw-dropping 55 points in a high school game. The 2026 five-star recruit, rated as the No. 8 player overall and the No. 2 point guard in the nation by 247Sports composite, continues to dazzle with his scoring prowess and playmaking ability. Crowe's dominance on the hardwood is further cementing his status as one of the most sought-after prospects in the country. In the same game, another Kentucky recruit Alijah Arenas, also went off for 34. To read more about Arenas click here. Arenas is looking to reclassify to 2025 but it has not been completed yet.
Two of the best scorers in the country just faced off😈🔥
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) December 26, 2024
5-stars Jason Crowe Jr and Alijah Arenas just put on a scoring master class‼️ Crowe and Inglewood came out of top 88-84 @ClassicAtDamien
Crowe: 55 PTS
Arenas: 34 PTS pic.twitter.com/ZR516cQvue
Kentucky is among the programs vying for his services. The Wildcats were the fourth school to extend an offer, following Weber State, UCLA, and Louisville. Kentucky assistant coach Jason Hart wasted no time in hitting the recruiting trail, making an in-person visit to build a connection with Crowe and his family. Sources suggest that Hart has prioritized Crowe’s recruitment and is working hard to establish a West Coast pipeline, a strategy that has been hit-or-miss for Kentucky in the past.
Crowe’s high school stats back up the hype. Over two varsity seasons, he has averaged a remarkable 36.6 points per game, along with 5.6 assists and 3.7 rebounds per contest. His ability to score from all three levels, coupled with his strong court vision, makes him an ideal modern point guard. Notably, Crowe’s scoring outburst showcases his ability to take over games, a quality that Kentucky fans have come to expect from their elite recruits, and what some think is missing with this year's team.
ESPN 5 ⭐️ PG Jason Crowe Jr. (c/o 2026) had Russell Westbrook in disbelief at Peach Jam 😂
— Take Flight Hoops (@tfhlifestyle) July 11, 2023
The rising sophomore went for 24 pts in the Final Four of Nike’s E16 Peach Jam bracket and finished third in scoring at Peach Jam (E16), averaging 21.3 PPG 🔥@teamwhynot pic.twitter.com/KcFtwrbAtE
Recruiting the West Coast has often been challenging for Kentucky though, as many players from the region choose to stay closer to home. However, Hart’s early and consistent involvement could prove pivotal. Crowe’s ties to California and interest from local programs like UCLA may pose real competition, but the Wildcats are clearly putting in the effort to bring him to Lexington.
We will update when any news breaks as to where Crowe will be going to college.