John Calipari checks in on top prospects this week

This week marked the first week college programs could be out for the Fall live evaluation period. College coaches, like John Calipari, sat in high school gyms around the country, brandishing their logos across their chests, so their top basketball recruits could see them.

Fall is a telling time of year for recruiting. In the summer, college coaches are able to choose an event where they can see multiple players. In the Fall, you can get more of a feel for a program’s recruiting board because a coach is – most of the time – only able to visit one recruit at a time. They are forced to prioritize in the Fall.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari hit the road this week to check in with some of the Wildcats’ top prospects. He already has three players committed and not yet signed, so Coach Cal mixed in visiting committed and non-committed players this week. Let’s recap his travels.

Five-star CG DJ Wagner

DJ Wagner is On3’s No. 1 prospect in 2023. Calipari went by Camden (NJ) High to meet with Wagner on Friday. Wagner is the son of former lottery-pick Dajuan Wagner, who was coached by Calipari at Memphis.

Five-star C Aaron Bradshaw

John Calipari met with five-star Aaron Bradshaw on Friday. The 7-foot-0 center was at one time thought to be a Kentucky/G-League battle; those two programs are still involved along with Louisville, Southern California, and others.

Five-star SG Tre Johnson

Tre Johnson is On3’s No. 1 ranked prospect in the 2024 class. Calipari was by Dallas (TX) Lake Highland High on Monday for the 6-foot-5 shooting guard.

Four-star G Dink Pate

Calipari stopped by Dallas (TX) Pinkston High on Monday. The 6-foot-6 guard has yet to receive an offer from the Wildcats but set up an unofficial visit for Kentucky’s Midnight Madness event.

Five-star F Ron Holland

Kentucky has recently re-turned up the head on the 6-foot-8 Ron Holland. Calipari was by Duncanville (TX) High on Monday to see the 2023 On3 Consensus No. 9 player. With colleges, watch also Arkansas and Texas here.

Five-star F Ace Bailey

Calipari was in Georgia on Tuesday at Power Springs (GA) McEachern High. Ace Bailey, the 2024 On3 Consensus No. 7 player picked up an offer from Kentucky after the visit.

Four-star SG Karter Knox

Karter Knox is the younger brother of former Wildcat Kevin Knox. The 2024 On3 Consensus No. 10 player hosted Calipari at Tampa (FL) Catholic on Wednesday.

Four-star F Eric Dailey

Eric Dailey announced his top eight this week, which included Kentucky. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged almost 14 per game with the Georgia Stars on Nike’s EYBL Circuit this summer; he also played with the u18 USA Men’s Basketball team. Calipari was by Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy on Wednesday to visit.

Four-star CG Reed Sheppard

Both of Reed Sheppard’s parents played basketball at Kentucky. The legacy committed to the Wildcats in November. Calipari was by North Laural (KY) High on Thursday to see the 2023 On3 Consensus No. 27 player.

Five-star SF Justin Edwards

Calipari ended the week at Philidelphia (PA) Imhotep Charter on Friday to see commitment Justin Edwards. Edwards is the 2023 On3 Consensus No. 3 player.