Kentucky basketball ripped a massive win on the road in Knoxville. How are they doing on the recruiting trail?
Kentucky basketball recruiting never lacks drama, and this past week was no different. With top targets making moves and current commits making waves, there’s plenty to talk about in Big Blue Nation.
Five-star forward Nate Ament, one of the top uncommitted prospects in the 2025 class, was in Knoxville for Kentucky’s thrilling road win over Tennessee. Ament, a versatile 6-foot-9 wing ranked in the top 10 nationally, has Kentucky among his top schools, and watching the Wildcats pull off a gritty win in that hostile environment had to leave an impression, even though it was a Tenneessee official visit.
Ament’s game fits the modern style—he’s long, athletic, and can stretch the floor with his shooting. He’s also a plus defender who uses his length to disrupt passing lanes. Kentucky would love to add him to their already loaded 2025 class, but competition is stiff.
As expected, Alijah Arenas, son of former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, made it official—he’s staying home. The elite scoring guard committed to USC, a decision that wasn’t much of a surprise given his deep ties to the West Coast. Kentucky had been involved in his recruitment, but the buzz around him joining the Wildcats never really picked up steam.
Five-star forward Caleb Wilson took an interesting approach when discussing his dream lineup for 2025 propspects. Wilson, a North Carolina commit, recently posted his ideal 2025 starting lineup—one that included three Kentucky commits (Acaden Lewis, Jasper Johnson, and Malachi Moreno) and one undecided prospect considering Kentucky (Nate Ament).
The move left Kentucky fans scratching their heads. If Wilson truly wanted to play alongside those guys, why not just commit to Kentucky? Instead, he chose UNC and then put together a hypothetical dream team filled with future Wildcats. Intentional trolling or just a weird coincidence? Either way, it certainly stirred the pot.
Despite missing on Wilson, Kentucky’s 2025 class remains one of the best in the country. Jasper Johnson is a dynamic scoring guard, Acaden Lewis brings elite playmaking, and Malachi Moreno is a dominant post presence. If they can land Ament, it would solidify Kentucky’s spot as the team to beat on the recruiting trail.
Recruiting is always unpredictable, but one thing is certain—Kentucky will be in the middle of the biggest battles until signing day. For full recruit list,