Kentucky WBB hitting June recruiting trail with multiple '24 offers

June 1 marked the first day that women’s college basketball coaches could reach out and make contact with rising high school juniors. In this case, that would be the class of 2024. Kentucky head coach Kyra Elzy recently put the finishing touches on her 2022 class, the first she can call her own as the woman in charge of the Wildcats.

She brought in six soon-to-be rookies for the upcoming 2022-23 season but is already looking for the next future batch of UK hoopers. Elzy isn’t just looking at any and every recruit, though. She’s after the top 50-caliber talents.

A trio of rising juniors announced offers from Kentucky since June 1: Vivian Iwuchukwu, Arianna Roberson, and Taliyah Parker. Let’s get to know them.

Vivian Iwuchucku: 6-3 F | Montverde Academy (FL) 4-star

If the last name Iwuchukwu looks familiar, that would be because Vivian is the younger sister of a former Kentucky MBB target, Vince Iwuchuwku, a 6-foot-11 class of ’22 recruit considered a top 25 prospect who committed to Southern California. Vivian is a couple of years younger, but she has the same level of basketball pedigree.

Iwuchukwu also announced offers from the likes of San Jose State and Columbia this week. She’s previously earned scholarships from schools such as Florida State, Georgia, Auburn, Southern California, TCU, Texas Tech, Ole Miss, SMU, Houston, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, and Oklahoma State. Iwuchukwu played last season at powerhouse prep school, Montverde Academy, which won the national championship thanks to key minutes from the then-sophomore. She was also recently tabbed as the 34th best ’24 prospect by ESPN.

So super blessed to say that I have received and offer from @KentuckyWBB. Thank you to all the staff for this opportunity, i’m really blessed!! pic.twitter.com/1XWzNKZne6

— Vivian Iwuchukwu (@vivi_hoops) June 3, 2022

Arianna Roberson: 6-3 F | Clark HS (TX) 4-star

Another prospect with athletics running through her blood is Arianna Roberson. Not only were both of her parents All-Americans at New Mexico State in their respective sports, but all five of her siblings are currently or at one point were involved in Divison I college athletics. The most famous one that comes to mind is Andre Roberson, who played seven NBA seasons, six of them with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he was commonly known as one of the NBA’s elite defenders during his career.

Arianna is carving her own path though. She played alongside her older sister, Aaliyah (who has committed to play ball at TCU), at Clark High School in Texas this past season, earning All-Area Newcomer of the Year. Her team made it all the way to the state semifinals but fell to DeSoto High School, which was led by incoming Kentucky freshman Tionna Herron. Arianna will presumably take over as the team’s star heading into next season. She is currently ranked No. 39 overall by ESPN.

Roberson has been hauling in the offers following a standout sophomore campaign. She’s announced offers from UK, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, and Arizona all since June began. Other schools such as Georgia Tech, TCU, Kansas State, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma have all extended offers, as well.

Super blessed and thankful to receive an offer from the University of Kentucky @KentuckyWBB ! Thank you @UKCoachLZ @CoachA_Smith and all the staff for this opportunity ! pic.twitter.com/YIhcQcG37l

— Arianna Roberson (@aroberson2024) June 3, 2022

Taliyah Parker: 6-1 G | Putnam City West (OK) 5-star

Arguably the top prospect of the three in this article is Taliyah Parker, who is already considered the No. 6 overall ’24 prospect and five-star talent, according to ESPN. She doesn’t come from a notable athletic family such as Iwuchucku or Roberson, but she’s thriving on the hardwood without that background. Parker competed with the USA Women’s U16 National Team last year and participated with the 17U team last month.

Along with Kentucky, Parker has also received scholarships from the likes of Florida State, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Arkansas, and plenty of others. She’s an Oklahoma native and is already being heavily recruited by the Sooners, along with OK State and Baylor, all three of which got her on their campuses last year for unofficial visits.

Blessed to receive an offer from @KentuckyWBB. Thank you for the opportunity @UKCoachLZ #BBN pic.twitter.com/uA1L2Atu0m

— Taliyah Parker (@tparkerhoops24) June 3, 2022