Was 5-star Caleb Wilson waiting for AJ Dybantsa before committing? What it means for Kentucky basketball.

The number one overall basketball recruit in the 2025 class, AJ Dybantsa, is off the board. He has committed to BYU, and his NIL deal is rumored to be around $7 million. This is an insane amount of money, but money that BYU was willing to spend. Dybansta had eliminated Kentucky from his list weeks ago, but the Wildcats are still in for two other top-10 players: Nate Ament and Caleb Wilson. The signs are good for Wilson, but there is not a ton of confidence for Ament and Kentucky, but it's still on the table.

Market Rates

There is some speculation that Wilson has been waiting to sign his own deal for after the commitment of Dybantsa. In many ways, he would set the market rate, which would give other top recruits opportunities to know how much to ask for themselves. While Dybantsa is listed as a generational talent, and other players know this, there is now still a top-of-the-market rate.

North Carolina and Kentucky

While Wilson is officially down to five schools: Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio State, Tennessee, and UCF, it was reported that he would soon narrow his list to two. Most in the know think those two schools will be North Carolina and Kentucky.

Kentucky has a crystal ball placed for Wilson, but North Carolina is not out of the hunt. With Wilson presumably waiting to cut his list to two, you have to wonder if North Carolina may have some steam with Dybantsa off to BYU. The Tar Heels made a strong push for him in the end but came up short. Do they now turn their resources and attention to Wilson? Is this what Wilson was waiting for? Or is Kentucky still the heavy favorite?

Now that Dybantsa is off the board, you have to think that Wilson's recruitment will come to a close shortly, too, and it seems to be down to North Carolina and Kentucky.