During John Calipari’s tenure, Kentucky’s men’s basketball program became known for recruiting top-tier prospects. If a player was considered one of the best in their class, chances were the Wildcats were involved in their recruitment to some extent. Even during Calipari’s final season, he hinted at successful recruiting efforts for the class of 2025 prospects. Two standout players from this class, Cameron and Cayden Boozer, sons of former Duke and NBA star Carlos Boozer, showed strong interest in joining Kentucky. Cameron, a 6-foot-9 power forward, ranks second overall in the 2025 class, while Cayden, a 6-3 guard, ranks 17th. Calipari offered them scholarships in May, and they visited Lexington together last September, marking their first official visits. However, since Calipari’s departure to Arkansas and Mark Pope’s assumption of coaching duties, there’s uncertainty about the program’s future recruiting success.
Pope, despite his recent appointment, remains committed to high expectations, including on the recruiting front. Last weekend, Pope personally attended the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) to watch the Boozer twins play, indicating continued interest in recruiting them. Despite the change in coaching staff, Kentucky faces tough competition for the Boozer twins, with local schools like Miami and Florida, as well as Duke and North Carolina, vying for their talents. Pope’s pursuit of the Boozer twins will shed light on his ability to compete in high-stakes recruiting battles, continuing Kentucky’s tradition of attracting top talent.
