Kentucky WBB Recruiting Update: In contention for Top 10 wing plus intel on 2028 offer

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For the sake of your convenience, we’re going to start doing weekly (and updated) recruiting updates for Kentucky Women’s Basketball here at KSR.

Earlier this week, we talked about two offers that Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks sent. The first of those offers went to Trinity Jones, the No. 5 player in the 2026 class, per ESPN. Jones becomes the second top-five player to be offered by the ‘Cats, the other being Olivia Vukosa. Jones holds offers from a plethora of schools including South Carolina, LSU, and Louisville.

Brooks offered her in August of last year at Virginia Tech as well, so the connection between the two has been in place for quite some time.

Then, there’s Isabella Marion from the 2027 class. The 6-foot-4 forward out of Denmark is one of the best the country has to offer — even at just 15 years old. In the 2023 FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship, Marion averaged 4.9 points, 2.3 blocks, 2.1 assists, and a very solid 7.9 rebounds per game — good enough for top-10 in the event.

She currently holds offers from Ohio State, UNC, and Colorado, among others. Additionally, she visited Virginia Tech as recently as February. Expect this recruitment to be one that Kentucky is in right up until a commitment is set.

Laying down the foundation for years down the line

By making numerous offers in the 2026 and 2027 classes, it becomes clear that Brooks and the staff want to establish a foundation for recruiting not just next season, but the years following.

On top of the offers to Trinity Jones and Isabella Marion, Kentucky also offered Madeline Mignery, a class of 2027 guard out of Florida. She isn’t ranked yet by ESPN, but don’t let that sway your opinion of how good Mignery is.

After a great conversation with @CoachBrooksUK, I am truly blessed to receive an offer from The University of Kentucky!! Thank you to the entire coaching staff for believing in me!! Go Wildcats!! 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/HX46H3pPsF
— Madeline Mignery (@MadiMignery2027) June 26, 2024

After all, there’s only a “Terrific 25” for 2027 as of right now. When the full top 100 releases, she’ll almost certainly be among that group. Mignery holds offers from the likes of Florida State, Miami, and SMU, among others.

One thing to take note of is that she has already visited Kentucky as recently as May. How do we know the timeline of the visit? Well, Assistant Coach Ciara Gregory, who was hired on May 1st, is in one of the visit photos.

Photo Josh Petersen, Radvile Autukaite, Madeline Mignery, Kenny Brooks, Lindsey Hicks, and Ciara Gregory (left to right) by UK Athletics

Again, expect Kentucky to be competitive in this recruitment until the very end. Locking up an offer and especially a visit this early is pivotal. Mignery also visited Ole Miss back in January, and she was on Florida’s and Michigan’s campuses for camps and events previously.

Making a very, very big top-12 list

On Wednesday, one of the best high school players on the market released her top-12 list of schools. That would be Agot Makeer, the No. 6 player and top wing in the 2025 class, per ESPN.

Along with the ‘Cats, Makeer is also considering Michigan State, UConn, UCLA, UNC, South Carolina, Notre Dame, Michigan, Duke, Virginia Tech, Louisville, and Vanderbilt.

Thank you to all the coaches who have recruited me to be apart of their programs. I am truly grateful and blessed for the endless opportunities. With that being said my family and I have narrowed our focus to these 12 schools. pic.twitter.com/nQJETrj5Jx
— Agot Makeer (@makeer_agot) June 26, 2024

Here’s where things get interesting regarding Makeer to Kentucky specifically.

The 6-foot-1 Canadian has an RPM of 12.1% to Kentucky. That may sound like slim odds, and they are. However, those are also the highest odds. Michigan State is just behind at 10.6%.

The interesting part is that Makeer hasn’t publicly announced an offer since July 13th of last year when she was offered by Purdue. She announced her offer from Kentucky on July 4th of 2023. Obviously, Kenny Brooks wasn’t at Kentucky yet.

However, don’t let that completely dampen your hopes on Makeer being a ‘Cat. She also never announced offers from UConn, UNC, South Carolina, Notre Dame, Duke, Virginia Tech, Louisville, or Vanderbilt — eight of the teams in her top-12. She’s likely been offered but just hasn’t publicly said so.

Clearly, her recruitment is a bit of a mystery, but the fact that Kentucky is in the top 12 is a positive. We’ll see what comes of it soon enough. Brooks has yet to land a high school commitment at Kentucky, but that could change with Makeer.

Intel on class of 2028 offer

On Thursday, Kentucky extended their second offer of the 2028 class — this time to Ella Peper, an up-and-coming guard out of Massachusetts. She currently holds offers from Florida State, Louisville, and Michigan State, among others.

Greatful to have received an offer from @KentuckyWBB after a great call with @CoachRad_ and @CoachBrooksVT! @BayStateJags @LaurieBollin @DXSF_GBBall pic.twitter.com/thWQozHfBr
— Ella Peper20 (@ella_peper) June 27, 2024

Additionally, Peper spoke with KSR about what it was like getting an offer from Kentucky, plus her recruitment in general.

“[Kenny Brooks and Radvile Autukaite] were great,” Peper mentioned. “They had a great vibe to them, and they said they had been watching me for a little while. We talked about how I recognized them at my game during layup lines, and I got pretty excited because I knew who they were. They were fun and it was a great conversation overall.”

It was roughly a 30-minute conversation over the phone that started with Coach Rad, then Brooks joined in soon after the call began. On top of that, Peper is looking to visit Kentucky at some point in the future.

“They said they wanted to get me up there for a visit and I said I would love to,” Peper revealed. “We will schedule one soon, and I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

When the time comes for Peper to choose where she’ll commit to, she already knows what’s on her mind: championships and a path to the WNBA.

“[I’m looking for] a very competitive high-level program,” Peper explained. “I want a good path to the W(NBA). It’s all about fit — where your game would show best. Location doesn’t matter. I want to compete for championships with a coach that lets me be me and just thrive in their program.”

She added, “I want to win at the highest level, and there are many great options out there. I’m just enjoying getting to know all of them and get a feel for who they are at a young age.”

If Kentucky can reel in Peper, they’ll be getting a fierce competitor with tons of potential.

Rundown of prospects offered by Kentucky

2025

5-star wing Agot Makeer – No. 6 overall, No. 1 wing – Crestwood Prep (Canada)
5-star guard ZaKiyah Johnson – No. 7 overall, No. 4 guard – Sacred Heart Academy (KY)
5-star wing Kaelyn Carroll – No. 29 overall, No. 7 wing – Tabor Academy (MA)
5-star wing Lauren Hurst – No. 35 overall, No. 8 wing – Cleveland High School (TN)
4-star guard Adelaide Jernigan – No. 58 overall, No. 24 guard – Bishop McGuinness (NC)
4-star guard Bryn Martin – No. 61 overall, No. 25 guard – No. Springboro (OH)
4-star forward Manuella Alves – No. 64 overall, No. 9 forward – Central Pointe Christian Academy (FL)

2026

5-star forward Olivia Vukosa – No. 2 overall, No. 1 forward – Christ the King (FL)
5-star guard Trinity Jones – No. 5 overall, No. 4 guard – Bolingbrook (IL)
4-star point guard Kate Harpring – No. 18 overall, No. 2 point guard – Marist (GA)
4-star point guard Maddyn Greenway – No. 21 overall, No. 3 point guard – Providence Academy (MN)
4-star wing Bella Ragone – No. 26 overall, No. 6 wing – Mill Creek (GA)
4-star guard Sanai Green – No. 29 overall, No. 12 guard – The Steward School (VA)