Kentucky makes final cut for 4-star wing Maximo Adams

Maximo Adams picked up an offer from Kentucky following a strong summer on the Nike EYBL circuit to become one of the fastest-rising prospects in the class of 2026. Now, the Wildcats have made the final cut in the four-star wing’s recruitment with the 6’7″ senior down to four options.

UK joins North Carolina, Texas and Michigan State among finalists, Adams previously visiting all four programs. The No. 18 overall prospect and No. 7 small forward, according to Rivals’ top 150 rankings, took an official visit to Lexington back in September.

Adams previously considered Arizona State, Duke, Illinois, Kansas, Purdue, USC and Washington.

Joe Tipton of Rivals was the first to break the news.

NEWS: 2026 Top-20 overall recruit Maximo Adams is down to four schools, he tells @Rivals.

The 6-7 small forward has completed official visits to each of his finalists. https://t.co/baXpx7DEQ9 pic.twitter.com/1ioEYou2tt

— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) November 3, 2025

There is a connection to monitor as it relates to Mark Pope and the Wildcats, the four-star prospect being the younger brother of Marcus Adams Jr., who played for the second-year Kentucky coach at BYU in 2023-24.

“It means a lot to get an offer from Kentucky,” the California native told KSR+ after adding an offer in July. “Especially coming from Coach [Mark] Pope, who’s a great coach and runs a great program. I think it’s a great program. Mark Pope came from BYU, and my brother went to BYU. Then, he transitioned to Kentucky, and he’s a great coach.”

As a player, Adams is a versatile and efficient prospect capable of scoring at all three levels, defending multiple positions and attacking the glass. He averaged 19.4 points on 50/39/71 splits and 10.5 rebounds in the EYBL regular season, then 18.8 points on 51/40/86 splits and 10.2 rebounds in five games at Peach Jam.

Elsewhere, Caleb Holt, Deron Rippey Jr., Jordan Smith Jr., Baba Oladotun, Christian Collins, Arafan Diane, and, yes, Tyran Stokes are still on the board with varying levels of Kentucky interest. Stokes is far and away considered the top priority for Pope and the Wildcats with Holt right behind — you hope to add both, if possible.

Adams is in that next tier of targets to keep an eye on for UK. This week’s list cut down to four finalists is a sign of legitimate mutual interest ahead of the early signing period, which is scheduled for November 12–19.

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