PREVIEW: Kentucky targets set to compete in front of Mark Pope at Peach Jam

GwAOMgGWQAA7VWL — Photo via Jack Pilgrim, KSR

The man who never sleeps is back on the road Thursday for the start of the final evaluation period of the summer, Mark Pope joined by his Kentucky assistants in North Augusta, S.C. for the ever-popular Nike Peach Jam through Sunday.

The EYBL regular season wrapped up last weekend and transitioned over to Peach Jam on Tuesday with teams fighting for their lives the rest of the way. Now, though, coaches are allowed back in the building at Riverview Park Activities Center starting Thursday morning to add a new layer of difficulty — or comfort, for those who thrive under the bright lights on the big stage.

Who will the Wildcats be keeping a close eye on? Any major recruiting developments to watch for in terms of visits or commitments? How about potential reclassifications? KSR has everything you need to know ahead of the chaos in North Augusta.

Class of 2026 Kentucky Offers

Tyran Stokes (SF) 6-7, 225 | Oakland Soldiers 17U
5-star: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SF

The most dominant player in the rising senior class happens to be a native of Louisville with Kentucky battling the Cardinals for his services — along with Arkansas and Kansas to round out the top contenders. He’s passionate and hungry, a terror in transition as he’s built like an athletic refrigerator, but also a terrific passer and playmaker for his size with a growing jump shot. The Wildcats are firmly in the hunt for the biggest prize in 2026.

Brandon McCoy (CG) 6-5, 185 | Arizona Unity 17U
5-star: No. 2 overall, No. 1 CG

Previously a top contender for the No. 1 spot in the class, injuries derailed his winter and the Bellflower, CA native has been working to knock the rust off ever since — and rebuild his recruiting board with previous interest falling off and new suitors picking up. He’s responded in a massive way, dominating the competition to start the event. He picked up a Kentucky offer in July with Pope visiting him twice while also coaching him at Team USA U19 Training Camp in Colorado Springs back in June. Duke, Alabama and USC are among the other contenders.

Christian Collins (SF) 6-8, 200 | Team Why Not 17U
5-star: No. 3 overall, No. 2 SF

More upside than current production at this stage, Collins went from unranked to consensus top-five in a year and is now dealing with the post-honeymoon period of his jump to superstardom. All of the tools are there to be a superstar, but can he put it all together? That’s what Peach Jam is for with Kentucky, Duke, USC, Arkansas, Oregon and Louisville in the mix.

Jordan Smith Jr. (SG) 6-2, 200 | Team Takeover 17U
5-star: No. 4 overall, No. 1 SG

A nightmare defensively who is obsessed with winning, Smith pops up in best-player-in-the-class conversations often — and he’d probably be there if he could knock down shots more consistently. He truly does everything else as an elite athlete with a better motor. Duke and Arkansas are seen as the top contenders with Kentucky sitting in that next group right behind.

Jason Crowe Jr. (SG) 6-3, 170 | Oakland Soldiers 17U
5-star: No. 7 overall, No. 3 SG

Kentucky had been seen as a top contender thanks to his father’s relationship with Jason Hart, but it appears the five-star is going a different direction with Mizzou picking up steam ahead of his commitment on Friday. He’s one of the most talented scorers in the country — even if the efficiency is hit or miss.

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Ikenna Alozie (PG) 6-2, 185 | Utah Prospects 17U
5-star: No. 12 overall, No. 2 PG

The top-15 point guard previously told KSR he planned a Kentucky visit and saw a fit with Pope after the Wildcats made a hard push back in the fall. Other top players at his position have become a priority — namely Tay Kinney and Deron Rippey Jr. — but he’s still a name to watch with Washington, Arizona, Houston, Louisville and Gonzaga other contenders.

Qayden Samuels (SG) 6-5, 200 | Team Takeover 17U
4-star: No. 15 overall, No. 4 SG

One of Kentucky’s most recent offers, Pope pulled the trigger on June 24 with Alvin Brooks III also leading the charge among assistants. The sharpshooter has been on visits to Georgetown, Villanova and NC State with Maryland, Tennessee, Florida State, Texas and North Carolina also pushing. “They like my game. They like my play style,” he told KSR+ of UK.

Bryson Howard (SF) 6-5, 200 | ProSkills 17U
4-star: No. 26 overall, No. 10 SF

One of the top stock risers of the summer, the son of former NBA All-Star Josh Howard picked up an offer from Kentucky in late June. He said UK is among the schools he’d like to visit, joining Duke, UNC and Kansas — all of the blue bloods. “Obviously Kentucky’s a blue blood program. I mean, they’ve had a ton of success. Great school,” he told On3’s Joe Tipton.

Class of 2027 Kentucky Offers

CJ Rosser (PF) 6-9, 185 | Team United 16U
5-star: No. 1 overall, No. 1 PF

Kentucky made the Rocky Mount, NC native an early priority when the contact window opened in June with an offer coming before back in the spring. “It’s a big school that produces a lot of NBA prospects,” he told KSR+.

Obinna Ekezie Jr. (C) 6-11, 215 | Vegas Elite 16U
5-star: No. 2 overall, No. 1 C

Originally from Nigeria, he moved to Louisville shortly after his 13th birthday. His father played at Maryland from 1995 to 1999 and played in the NBA for seven years. “Kentucky is a big-time school and a blueblood,” Ekezie told KSR+.

Baba Oladotun (SF) 6-8, 165 | Team Durant 17U
5-star: No. 4 overall, No. 2 SF

He was the first player in 2027 to receive an offer from the Wildcats back in September and Kentucky continues to push. “It’s a great program. Coach Pope has a long coaching career. He’s been pretty good,” he told KSR+ at Peach Jam. Keep an eye on a reclassification with him, potentially adding another top-10 recruit to the mix in the current senior class.