'24 four-star PF Jayden Williams hearing from Kentucky

Kentucky popped in the brand new state-of-the-art Overtime Elite basketball facilities to open the live period this fall, checking out a few of the program’s top prospects.

Naas Cunningham is the biggest name, with Jahki Howard up there too. Don’t forget about 2024 four-star PF Jayden Williams, though, who is in early contact with the Wildcats.

The 6-foot-8, 195-pound forward was out with an injury when John Calipari and the UK coaching staff popped in back in September, but the Wildcats are intrigued with the versatile forward’s length and athleticism. It’s why Kentucky is one of five schools recruiting Williams the hardest, he says.

“I’m hearing a lot from Florida, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Auburn, and Kentucky,” Williams recently told On3.

Participating in the inaugural OTE Opening Night, a six-team showcase event featuring the nation’s top prospects Overtime Elite facility in Atlanta, Williams put up an impressive 10 points and 12 rebounds in his team’s 100-94 victory Thursday evening. Ranked No. 30 overall in the On3 Consensus, the athletic forward finished the day shooting 42.9% from the field, 80.0% from the line and added a steal in 20 minutes.

Over 50 college programs came through the OTE facilities to open the live period this fall, with the majority of those schools expressing early interest. It’s the Gators, Yellow Jackets, Hoyas, Tigers and Wildcats, though, that are standing out early.

Early in the recruiting process, he’s taken just one early visit to Auburn.

“I’ve taken an unofficial visit to Auburn; that is my only one so far,” Williams told On3. “They have a good program, and all their fans have a lot of love for the players and team.”

What will he be looking for in a school when it comes time to make a decision?

“On the basketball side, I want to go somewhere that feels like home,” Williams added. “A place where I get along with the coaches and the players. I want to go somewhere that will push me and make me get better every day.”

For more on OTE Opening Night, check out On3 national recruiting analyst Jamie Shaw’s latest here.