Alvin Brooks III finalizes deal to leave Baylor for Kentucky under Mark Pope

NCAA Basketball: Baylor at Texas Tech — Mar 9, 2024; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew with associate head coach Alvin Brooks III in the first half during the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Scott Drew may have turned Kentucky down to open Mitch Barnhart’s coaching search to replace John Calipari, but his lead assistant at Baylor did not, making the decision to join Mark Pope at Kentucky.

After visiting Lexington on Tuesday, Alvin Brooks III has officially accepted the job and will round out Pope’s recruiting staff with the Wildcats, joining Cody Fueger and Jason Hart. Brooks will be named Associate Head Coach after spending the last eight seasons in Waco under Drew.

CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander was the first to break the news.

NEWS: Top Baylor assistant Alvin Brooks III is leaving the Bears to join Mark Pope's staff at Kentucky, sources tell @CBSSports. He spent the past eight years under Scott Drew and will be associate HC @ UK. Brooks is highly respected in the profession. It's a major coup for Pope.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 24, 2024

Brooks was the primary recruiter for the likes of VJ Edgecombe, Ja’Kobe Walter and Keyonte George, consensus five-star guards and among the best signees in Baylor history under Drew. Just 44 years old, the son of current Lamar head coach Alvin Brooks is seen as one of the top young assistants in college basketball.

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He previously spent time at Kansas State (2012-16), Sam Houston State (2010-12), Bradley (2007-10), Midland (2006-07) and Arkansas-Fort Smith (2004-06) before his coaching talents led him to Lexington.

His father has history with Kentucky, as well, Brooks Jr. working as the director of operations at Kentucky from 2007-09 under Billy Gillispie. Now, Brooks III is following in his father’s footsteps and spending the next chapter of his life wearing blue and white — a major win for Pope and the Wildcats.