John Calipari stops in for 2024 four-star PG Ahmad Nowell

How about a new name for Kentucky basketball in its recruiting efforts for 2024? John Calipari was in Philadelphia on Monday alongside assistant coaches Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman visiting a familiar high school for a prospect they have seen a number of times.

The Wildcats were at Imhotep Charter for four-star junior Ahmad Nowell, a high school teammate of Kentucky signee Justin Edwards. It was the first in-person meeting between UK and the 6-foot-2 point guard outside of the program’s recruitment of its prized five-star wing.

Nowell has said in the past that Kentucky is a school he’d like to hear from, along with Duke. Up to this point, though, Tennessee, Kansas, Connecticut, Auburn, Memphis and St. John’s have extended offers, with Arkansas and Villanova also making a push.

Now, the Wildcats are jumping into the mix.

Kentucky's John Calipari and his staff were in for 2024 four-star guard Ahmad Nowell on Monday, source tells KSR

Teammate of UK signee Justin Edwards with @TepPanthers

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) April 17, 2023

Nowell averaged 13.3 points on 42.2% shooting, 39.1% from three and 80.7% at the line while adding 4.9 rebounds per contest. He scored 12 points in the Pennsylvania 5A state championship alongside Edwards to bring home the title.

“I bring good character,” Nowell told On3’s Joe Tipton. “Have a good IQ and a good shooting ability, can handle the ball, get to the paint, and make plays. I think that’s probably the strong suits of my game.”

Out of Philadelphia, Nowell is rated as the No. 47 overall prospect and No. 8 point guard in the On3 Industry Ranking. He’s taken one official visit thus far, heading to Knoxville to check out the Tennessee Volunteers back on February 27.

The 6-foot-2 guard is strong and physical, known for making tough shots and coming up with big stops on the defensive end of the floor. He’s not an other-worldly athlete, but Nowell’s grit and toughness separate his game from his peers in the junior class.

Will it result in a scholarship offer? It’s a step in the right direction.

Kentucky coaches on the recruiting trail

Calipari and assistant coaches Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman traveled to Kokomo, Indiana on Friday to meet with 2024 five-star center Flory Bidunga — the program’s top frontcourt target in the junior class. And then from there, the trio of coaches made the trip to Texas to meet with Tre Johnson, the nation’s consensus No. 1 prospect overall in the junior class.

Schools are in the middle of a contact period, which runs from April 6-19, then again from April 24-27 and May 1-4. We’ll also get an evaluation period from April 21-23 and April 28-30 before things ramp back up in June and July.

The quiet period as a whole lasts from April 20-July 5, meaning athletes can talk to coaches on college campuses during visits, but can’t watch them compete in person or talk outside of visits — unless in an evaluation or contact period.

Recruiting season is here.