7-2 John Bol on Kentucky interest: "It's a big school with a big name"

Five-star center John Bol is one of the biggest names in the rising junior class — literally. Standing 7-foot-2 with a 7-foot-9 wingspan, he’s a standout shot-blocker who thrives around the basket as a ferocious rim-runner.

Keep your guard down, and you’re likely to end up on a poster.

Bol helped lead MoKan Elite to the 2022 Nike Peach Jam title this past week in North Augusta, patrolling the paint as the team’s leading center. It was a performance that led to interest from Kentucky, among other high-major programs.

At the conclusion of the event, Bol sat down with KSR to discuss the latest in his recruitment and life as a 7-foot-2 prospect. Check out the complete conversation below:

Q: What’s it been like just being a part of this experience, playing in front of so many coaches and showing what you can do on the national stage?

JB: It’s been fun. I can say it’s been fun. It’s been exciting. You’re working every day during the summer, putting in work, so being able to show it at a high-level like this in front of all these people is a blessing. I’m glad that I’m here right now.

Q: What is it about your game that separates you from everybody else in your class?

JB: I’m a big dude, 7-2, with a high motor and can actually move good with my size. I can guard one through five. I’m actually good on my feet too. That’s something not a lot of dudes have.

Q: How is your recruitment going right now?

JB: It’s pretty good. I’m really not worried about it right now. I’m just checking it out, but it’s actually going pretty good.

Q: What schools have reached out to you so far?

JB: So far, Kansas, Kentucky, USC and a couple other schools.

Q: You bring up Kentucky. What is it about that program that you like?

JB: It’s a big school with a big name. They have done a lot of things in the past and them actually having interest in me means a lot. It means that my game is standing out and I’m doing something different for them to see me as someone worthy of being in their program. It’s nice.

Q: How about Kansas?

JB: Kansas is a good school. They just won the national championship last year, so it’s a great school and I’m just as excited as I am that Kentucky is interested in me.

Q: Is there a school that you grew up watching or that is a dream school of yours?

JB: I just started playing basketball two years ago, so I didn’t even used to watch basketball. I wouldn’t say I have a dream, dream school, but I’m just checking it out, weighing my options and seeing where I can fit in good. It’s not only about basketball. Sometimes it’s about what goes along with that school.

Q: Do you have any visits planned or anything you’d like to note?

JB: I know I have a visit planned to go to Michigan sometime in September.

Q: Are there any other schools that you would like to go visit?

JB: Yeah, a couple other schools, but I can’t say them right now.

Q: You said you have that Michigan visit planned. What do you like about them? What appeals to you?

JB: They’ve been talking to me for a while now. It’s actually fun with Juwan Howard, him playing in the league and being a big man too. It’s just a good fit for me. The way he communicates with me, the way he talks with me, it’s not always about basketball. Sometimes he’ll be asking me about school, about other stuff and building a relationship. He’s a very good coach.

Q: You also mentioned USC, how about them?

JB: USC has just recently taken interest in me. I don’t know much about it. That’s all I know.

Q: What’s the best part and the worst part of being someone your height?

JB: Best part, a lot of dudes get intimidated by my height when we play. You’re guarding a 7-foot-2 dude that can actually do damage. That’s definitely going to cause a lot of problems. Something that I don’t really like about my height is that I have to bend down everywhere that I go. That’s something I don’t really like, but it is what it is.

Bol is rated as the No. 17 overall prospect and No. 1 center in the 2024 On3 Consensus.