Kentucky WBB Recruiting Update: Intel on ZaKiyah Johnson's recruitment and a potential commitment date

It wasn’t too long ago when ZaKiyah Johnson, the No. 4 overall prospect in On3’s 2025 Women’s Basketball Recruiting Rankings, trimmed her list of schools to just six. That list includes South Carolina, Notre Dame, LSU, USC, Louisville, and Kentucky.

Donna Moir, who has coached Sacred Heart Academy to four consecutive KHSAA state titles, talked with KSR about Johnson’s recruitment.

Moir did stress that whatever Johnson decides on will ultimately be her decision — not the decision of others or one that will be influenced by too many outside voices. Additionally, while it was hard for Moir to really put a finger on who would be leading for Johnson’s talents at the moment, she did allude to the fact that staying close to home may be a priority for Johnson.

“I think if you look at the trend nationally, kids are staying closer to home,” Moir explained. “People realize like with JuJu Watkins or A’ja Wilson, they all stay kind of close to home, and they made a big difference in their program at home. That allure will be important.”

She added, “I do think that you are seeing kids stay closer to home, so I guess that would be my answer [on what may factor in Johnson’s decision].“

However, as fascinating as it may sound to stay in-state, Johnson can’t help but recognize the national powers that are all putting in huge efforts to land her. Moir even noted that “South Carolina and LSU are coming hard” to get a commitment from Johnson.

What makes Kentucky a potential suitor for Johnson, however, is not only the proximity to home, but also the fact that Kenny Brooks is one of the most well-respected and established coaches in college basketball as a whole.

“You can’t help but look at Coach Brooks and what he’s been able to do at Virginia Tech and what he’s won,” Moir mentioned. “I think with him being at Kentucky, and you know, he was one of Z’s first calls, and I think that has to make an impression.”

Johnson had built a relationship with Brooks while he was at Virginia Tech, but as she told On3’s Talia Goodman, she “didn’t really like the Virginia area“. However, now that Brooks has come to Kentucky and is closer to home for Johnson, “it’s going to be better because it’s closer and it’s something I’m familiar with“.

Johnson also told Goodman that “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.”

Kentucky isn’t the only in-state school pushing for Johnson, however. Louisville is a big-time threat in securing a commitment from Johnson.

“You got to look at Louisville with Coach [Jeff] Walz,” Moir stated. “He was one of the first to offer her, and they’re coming after her hard, too. So, I really think you’ve got two excellent coaches, in-state coaches going after the top talent.”

Moir even suggested that she thinks Louisville may even be the team in the lead for Johnson. However, with Kentucky sitting there as another major in-state program high on her list, she thinks Kentucky is a very viable option as well.

“[Louisville or Kentucky] would be my answer,” Moir revealed. “You are seeing kids stay closer to home, and that could be because of the NIL money. The people around you are going to want to support the Kentucky kids, especially Louisville and Kentucky. You look at the support Reed Sheppard got, so who knows, but I think it’s really exciting.”

Lastly, Moir also told KSR that Johnson is currently planning on announcing her commitment on her birthday, which would be on November 23rd.

Keep that date marked on your calendars, BBN.

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)
• 4-star wing Lauren Hurst – No. 35 overall, No. 8 wing – Cleveland High School (TN)
• 4-star wing Aubrey Shaw – No. 36 overall, No. 9 wing – Blue Valley North (KS)
• 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)
• 4-star guard Madison Parrish – No. 88 overall, No. 37 guard – Mason (OH)
• Forward Grace Mbugua – Unranked – Danville Christian Academy (KY)

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)
• 5-star guard Bella Flemings – No. 11 overall, No. 6 guard – Overtime Select (GA)
• 5-star forward Amari Byles – No. 13 overall, No. 3 forward – DeSoto (TX)
• 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)

2027

• 5-star guard Ivanna Wilson Manyacka – No. 2 overall, No. 1 guard – Bullis (MD)
• Forward Isabella Marion – Unranked (international) – Denmark
• Guard Madeline Mignery – Unranked – Cardinal Mooney (FL)

2028

• Forward Sydney Douglas – Unranked (no rankings for 2028 yet) – Etiwanda (CA)
• Wing Ella Peper – Unranked (no rankings for 2028 yet) – Dexter Southfield (MA)

2029

• Center Jayden McClain – Unranked (no rankings for 2029 yet) – Ryle (KY)

(Rankings from ESPN/HoopGurlz)