Kentucky's full staff met Caleb Wilson at the airport for his official visit

Mark Pope is hosting his first top-five, consensus five-star recruit on an official visit this weekend with Caleb Wilson in town. Ranked No. 4 overall and No. 2 among power forwards, the 6-9 prospect out of Atlanta is skilled as an inside out big capable of knocking down shots, putting the ball on the floor and scoring inside.

Every school in America wants him, and now, Kentucky will get its shot to pitch him on spending his first (and likely only) season of college basketball in Lexington.

And let me be the first to tell you, the Wildcats are off to a strong start.

You see, Wilson and his family arrived in Lexington late Thursday evening ahead of their weekend visit, set to be wined and dined from start to finish. It’s undoubtedly going to be a full-court press considering what’s at stake, Kentucky needing a versatile forward to pair with Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno in the class of 2025 while Pope also looks to prove he can land top-five talent without any local ties giving him a leg up on the competition. With those things in mind, the entire coaching staff was in attendance to pick the Wilsons up at Blue Grass Airport, starting up top with Coach Pope all the way down to crucial support staffers.

Standing there waiting for arriving flights well after midnight, the Kentucky coaches met the prized five-star forward and his family at baggage claim and helped bring their luggage to the car to get the official visit rolling.

In videos posted by Bleed Blue Rando (@allUKball) on Twitter, Pope is seen at the airport with the likes of Alvin Brooks III, Cody Fueger, Jason Hart, Mikhail McLean, Mark Fox and Nick Robinson, among others.

Coach Pope and the whole staff out here at Bluegrass after midnight picking up recruits. And @Coach_AB3 I know very well who you are 😂. Appreciate your humility though!! #BBN #WeAreUK #KentuckyBasketball pic.twitter.com/bZE1SlWeLh

— Bleed Blue Rando (@allUKball) September 13, 2024

Coach Pope and the whole staff out here at Bluegrass after midnight picking up recruits. And @Coach_AB3 I know very well who you are 😂. Appreciate your humility though!! #BBN #WeAreUK #KentuckyBasketball pic.twitter.com/bZE1SlWeLh

— Bleed Blue Rando (@allUKball) September 13, 2024

Kentucky is battling the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, BYU, Duke, North Carolina, Georgia Tech and Tennessee to land Wilson’s commitment, which is expected to come during the late signing period in the spring. The Wildcats had been seen as secondary contenders behind the likes of Arkansas, BYU and Georgia Tech, but continue to make up ground with a long runway to work with — along with tangible game tape to show once the season begins in November.

It’s still early, but this is a big one for Pope and the Wildcats. This official visit will go a long way in deciding just how serious a contender Kentucky will be.