Kentucky, Mark Pope land top-30 recruit Acaden Lewis

Mark Pope has his point guard of the future. On Saturday afternoon, Acaden Lewis, one of the top point guards in the country, announced his commitment to Kentucky on a livestream with On3.

Lewis, a 6-foot-2 four-star senior out of Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC, ultimately chose the Wildcats over Duke and UConn. However, he also received offers from North Carolina, Syracuse, Michigan, Tennessee, Auburn, Georgetown, Virginia, and more.

Lewis is the nation’s No. 30 overall prospect, No. 5 point guard and No. 1 recruit from DC in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

The newest Wildcat joins elite company, becoming the third addition to the class, following five-star SG Jasper Johnson (No. 14 nationally) and four-star C Malachi Moreno (No. 28 nationally).

Lewis on his commitment to Kentucky

Acaden Lewis went in-depth on his decision to choose UK.

“I chose Kentucky because they made me the greatest priority,” he said. “It really felt like it was just me or nothing. Or like me, or portal, you could say. Coach Pope and his staff have done a really good job of constantly applying pressure to make me feel like I’m the point guard that they need. I love the system. I also love the coaching staff — Brooks, Fox, Fueger, Hart, Pope, everybody. They have a lot of experience and have been in it for awhile. Their staff is super-well constructed, super smart. The visit was really amazing. Outside of what everybody saw, the birthday cake and everything (Acaden visited UK on his birthday), they showed me what I could work on and improve at. How they see me next year, utilized and stuff like that. They’ve been there from the start and have honestly done a really good job of recruiting me and I fit well. I really love the offense. He lets his guards play and how fast they play, but under control, like organized chaos almost and I really like that.”

Lewis on his trust in the Kentucky coaching staff

Several actions were taken to allow Acaden feel comfortable and trust coach Pope and his staff, starting with making trips to come see him in his hometown.

“Actions speak louder than words. They came to my barber shop, they came down to the rec center. Pope came down to get food and brought his whole staff. The only way to build trust is to talk to me face-to-face and home visits and stuff like that. Pope took that to a different level, something I didn’t expect. He was coming down just to go to Nando’s with me for a day. That builds trust. Asking tough questions and getting the answers you want. Whether its good or bad. I asked him questions and honestly didn’t always like the response but I appreciated the honesty. We talked basketball. Other people he wants to see on the team, how the team is going to look next year, how he wants to play, what role he sees for me.”

Breaking down his game + why he is wearing No. 55 at UK

Lewis tells Kentucky fans what they can expect from him as a player and says why he chose jersey number 55.

“I would say I’m a playmaker. Someone who is exciting to watch. I’m wearing 55 at Kentucky for a reason — Jason Williams, White Chocolate, whatever you want to call him. He wore it and I thought he was so exciting. Like everything he did, he got people on their feet. People wanted to watch him play. I just want to be exciting, I want to make plays, and honestly be a pro. That’s why you go to Kentucky. So I’m just an exciting player that’s going to make some plays that might make you scratch your head.”

Lewis has a final message for Kentucky fans.

“I’m ready to get on campus and I’m ready to join BBN. The Pope coming to Pope.”