Kentucky WBB makes the cut for '25 5-star ZaKiyah Johnson

Kenny Brooks quickly threw his hat in the ring for Shelbyville native and Sacred Heart standout ZaKiyah Johnson, extending a scholarship offer to the five-star guard back in April. Kentucky did not make her final list of 12 back in November under Kyra Elzy — shameful for an in-state superstar right in your backyard. The Wildcats made sure to jump back in the race immediately upon Brooks’ arrival.

Fast forward to July, and the home-state school is not only a potential option, but a finalist for the nation’s No. 4 overall prospect, according to On3 HER’s 2025 Recruiting Rankings.

Kentucky joins Louisville, South Carolina, Notre Dame, LSU and USC as programs left in contention for the five-star. She previously included Arizona, UConn, Georgia, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Tennessee and UCLA in her top 12 before adding the Wildcats to the list following Brooks’ hire.

Top 6❗️ pic.twitter.com/SvFhWsJQSQ

— ZaKiyah Johnson (@ZJohnson_06) July 3, 2024

What does she think about the in-state school located just an hour away from her hometown?

“This one is definitely new. I already had a great relationship with Coach [Kenny] Brooks, but I didn’t really like the Virginia area,” she told On3’s Talia Goodman. “Now that he’s here and we’re building that connection, it’s going to be better because it’s closer and it’s something I’m familiar with. Also, Coach Josh [Petersen] from Miami — he was recruiting me at Miami and we talked a lot. He was kind of like one of my best friends. I’m very close with the staff and I think seeing the new program is really going to tell me what I need to know.” 

Johnson will take a visit to Kentucky on Friday after previously taking an unofficial to Lexington.

Brooks previously talked about the importance of keeping in-state talent home at his introductory press conference, making it clear that would be a top priority for the Wildcats moving forward under his watch.

“When you think about Kentucky, you think about basketball,” he said. “We definitely understand the importance of keeping in-state players at home. We also understand the importance of fit. We will look at all of it and make sure it’s going to be a great fit.”

Could there be a fit between the 6-foot guard in the class of 2025 and the Wildcats? It’s certainly more likely today than it was entering the offseason earlier this spring.

What will she be looking for when it comes time for a decision?

“I’m looking for diversity on a campus, just so I can branch out and meet new people,” Johnson told On3. “I also really pay attention to dorms and dorm living. Then it’s just looking at the team, kind of reading them and seeing how their relationships are. Are they close or is it kind of fake? I look for little things. The majority of [these schools] are in the city area, so that’s really what I like. NIL also plays a big part in it.”

Bring keep her home, Coach Brooks.