Top 10 SG Isaiah Elohim was shocked to earn Kentucky offer

Top 10 class of 2024 prospect Isaiah Elohim is one of four high-level Kentucky targets to receive a scholarship offer from the ‘Cats so far. The contact period for rising high school juniors opened earlier this week and the UK coaching staff wasted no time reaching out to their early favorites. Elohim, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound shooting guard considered the No. 5 player in the country per the On3 Consensus, figures to be a top priority for Kentucky’s next recruiting class. An excellent spring on the Nike EYBL circuit and an impressive run at the Pangos All-American Camp have colleges from all over the country interested.

He’s absolutely a name to keep a close eye on moving forward.

Unlike this time last year, head coach John Calipari is taking a more aggressive approach with his early recruiting tactics. For those who follow the high school scene closely, it wasn’t necessarily a surprise to see Elohim earn a Kentucky offer. What was a bit of a shock however was him receiving the scholarship this soon in the process.

“I wouldn’t say I was expecting it for sure but I definitely knew they were interested in me,” Elohim told KSR this weekend. “Coach Chin (Coleman) had been in communication with my dad for two years I think even when he was at Illinois so I knew they were interested. My reaction when they offered after speaking with Coach Cal, me and my brother just looked at each other in shock and were extremely happy. I work extremely hard so for it to not go unnoticed and to receive an offer from a school like that is a blessing and I’m grateful.”

Kentucky wasn’t the only school to reach out to Elohim once the contact period opened, either. He said he’s been hearing the most from the likes of Gonzaga, Arkansas, UCLA, Baylor, Kansas, and Texas up to this point. Louisville also offered him on Monday.

But only a couple of those schools can compete with the tradition of UK and none of them meet the level of NBA success that has poured out of Lexington since Calipari’s arrival over a decade ago. Those two factors stick out in a major way for Elohim.

“Their tradition and history of not only getting guys to the NBA but their guys having a lot of success there,” Elohim said about why he likes Kentucky. “I want to be an all-time great when my career is over so I pay attention to things like that.”

The UK coaches have latched on to Elohim’s desire to reach the professional ranks, too. Early talks between both sides have been smooth and personable.

“Our conversations have been really good,” Elohim said. “They talk a lot about how they can get me to the next level, and as far as fit, they mainly spoke about my work ethic and who I am off the court and how that aligns with them as a program. We didn’t really talk much about basketball though it was more about life and their culture as a program.”

Elohim plays his high school ball at a familiar program, Sierra Canyon (CA), which has produced the likes of ’22 five-star Amari Bailey and former Wildcat Brandon Boston Jr. who is now with the LA Clippers. The son of Lebron James, Bronny James, is about to enter his senior season at Sierra Canyon, which expects to be one of the nation’s top teams this winter.