Kentucky named a finalist for 5-star SF Christian Collins

One of the top basketball recruits in the country is inching closer and closer to a decision.

According to On3’s Joe Tipton, five-star small forward Christian Collins is down to three finalists: Kentucky, Southern California, and UCLA. The St. John Bosco (CA) product has taken official visits to all three schools, with his trip to UK taking place during the final week of September. Tennessee and Oregon also received official visits over the last few months, but neither school made his final cut.

Collins, who checks in at 6-foot-8, is considered the No. 8 overall high school prospect in the 2026 recruiting class per the Rivals Industry Ranking.

NEWS: 5⭐️ Christian Collins is down to three schools, he tells @Rivals:

Kentucky, USC, UCLA

The 6-8 small forward is a top-10 recruit in the 2026 class. https://t.co/85GnUxrj6U pic.twitter.com/PqOxeGFWDC

— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) November 2, 2025

A decision is expected sooner rather than later for Collins. The top in-state California programs have been on him for a while, dating back to last year, while Kentucky only joined the race with an offer in April. That being said, head coach Mark Pope and his staff have the Wildcats in the final group. UK assistant coach Jason Hart, also from California, has plenty of ties out west, serving as a primary recruiter for Collins throughout the process.

Pope and Hart even visited Collins out in The Golden State in early September ahead of his OV to Lexington. Pope also coached Collins during this summer’s USA Basketball trials in Colorado Springs. But pulling him out of California and landing his commitment with Kentucky remains a tough ask. Just a few days ago, Jacob Polacheck of KSR+ logged a prediction for Collins to choose USC.

Kentucky has yet to land a commitment from the 2026 recruiting cycle. Even if Collins opts for a California school, the ‘Cats will continue to prioritize five-star forward Tyran Stokes, who named a top three of Kentucky, Oregon, and Kansas on Saturday. Five-star guard Caleb Holt also remains a top target for the UK staff.

But if UK can manage to land Collins, you couldn’t ask for a better first piece to the puzzle if you’re a member of the Big Blue Nation.

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