KSR Today: Kentucky MBB attacking the recruiting trail

Good morning, folks! Staying cool, I hope? It’s gonna be another scorcher in Lexington today (and anywhere even remotely nearby, honestly), but it is Thursday, which is one day closer to Friday — a valid excuse to embrace the weekend early and make a trip out to the pool. The weeks can feel like they drag on during the sport-less summer offseason hours. But here at Kentucky Sports Radio dot com, we’ve had quite a busy last 24-36 hours.

Here’s what I mean…

Calipari hands out 4 offers to ’24 prospects (and 1 more to a ’23)

How about this for a change in pace?

In previous years, Kentucky and head coach John Calipari have slowplayed the beginning of the contact period for rising high school juniors. This time last year, the Wildcats had only offered one ’23 recruit, which was then-five-star wing JJ Taylor, who has since seen his stock take a steep dive.

But on Wednesday, Calipari hit the trail with aggression. Kentucky offered four of the top prospects from the ’24 class, led by a trio of consensus top-five recruits. The only non-top-five recruit also happens to be the younger brother of former ‘Cat, Kevin Knox. Let’s quickly talk about all of them.

Tre Johnson (SG) – Lake Highlands (TX) No. 2 overall

Measurables: 6-5, 180 pounds
Bio: Playing for Griffin Elite on the EYBL circuit — Daimion Collins’ former grassroots program — the Texas native has deep ties to Kentucky, making the Wildcats an early top contender in his recruitment. The three-level score has earned offers from Baylor — another top option — Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas A&M and UNLV.
Schools to reach out on 6/15: Miami, Kentucky, Missouri, UNC, Arizona State, Texas, Gonzaga, Baylor, LSU, SMU, Kansas State, Arkansas

Ian Jackson (SG) – Cardinal Hayes (NY) No. 3 overall

Measurables: 6-4, 170 pounds
Bio: Arguably the top two-way threat in the class, Jackson is a major early Kentucky target with high interest in the program. He’s a versatile scorer and a terror on defense, making him a clear top-three prospect in 2024.
Schools to reach out on 6/15: Kentucky, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Kansas, Missouri

Isaiah Elohim (SG) – Sierra Canyon (CA) No. 5 overall

Measurables: 6-5, 190 pounds
Bio: A strong guard who plays a physical brand of basketball, Elohim is expected to earn five-star status as a top-10 prospect in the class.
Schools to reach out on 6/15: Kentucky, Duke, Baylor, Arizona, Florida, Arkansas, Texas, Louisville, Georgia, Missouri, Arizona State, UCLA, BYU, Longwood

Karter Knox (SF) – Tampa Catholic (FL) No. 10 overall

Measurables: 6-5, 180 pounds
Bio: The brother of former Kentucky wing Kevin Knox, there’s a clear connection here to the Wildcats. He’s a three-level scorer with athleticism and handles, projecting as a two at the next level. Louisville is seen as an early top contender with Kenny Payne on the sidelines, with Arizona State, Boise State and Illinois also extending early offers.
Schools to reach out on 6/15: Kentucky, Texas, Kansas

In addition to the four offers, Kentucky reached out to nearly a dozen of the top ’24 talents in the country. We have a full breakdown of every single one of those recruits, which you can check out here in order to stay up to date. Is Calipari taking a different approach with his recruiting? It sure feels like it.

On top of the quartet of offers that went out to rising juniors, there was a rising senior who also received a scholarship from the Wildcats: five-star forward Ron Holland, who finished up his official visit to Lexington earlier this week.

Blessed to receive an offer from Coach Calipari and the University Of Kentucky💙🤍 @KentuckyMBB pic.twitter.com/UHEwbAbk4P

— _ronhoops (@ron2kholland) June 15, 2022

Holland, ranked No. 5 overall and No. 3 at the power forward position in the updated On3 Consensus, joins DJ Wagner, Robert Dillingham, Matas Buzelis, KJ Evans, Aaron Bradshaw, JJ Taylor, and Andrej Stojakovic with offers from the Wildcats.

Basketball practice began this week

In between extending offers to the top ’24 prospects on Wednesday, the Kentucky staff held the first practice of the upcoming 2022-23 season. UK even gave us a sneak peek behind the curtain to see how it all went. We got to see all of the players in action, including a beautiful Daimion Collins made 3-pointer.

They aren’t the only hoopers returning to the hardwood, though. The Kentucky Women’s Basketball team held their first practice of the upcoming season on Thursday morning. Head coach Kyra Elzy is preparing for her third season as the head woman with an entirely new roster in the fold.

Get to know KT Turner

On Wednesday, the Big Blue Nation was introduced to new Kentucky MBB assistant coach KT Turner, who spoke in front of the media for about 20 minutes. The 42-year-old assistant with major Texas recruiting ties gave reporters an inside look at how he got to this moment. Turner talked highly of his former boss, Larry Brown, and how the Hall of Famer helped him get to this point. He also discussed his connection to Texas, why he chose Kentucky, and much, much more.

He’s also very high on the 2022-23 roster, which only took him seven full days to realize. Listen to everything he had to say below.

Football camp season has come to a close

It sure was a blazing hot couple of weeks at Kroger Field.

Kentucky Football hosted its final camp of the June summer session on Wednesday, which featured plenty of local and top-level talent. The camps allowed us to get a closer look at not only the prospects being recruited by the Wildcat staff, but also how the staff members interact with said players and those around them, particularly the new faces such as Rich Scangarello (OC) and Zach Yenser (OL). My first impressions of both? They command attention without asking for it.

What else did we learn during these couple of weeks at camp? Click the link here to find out.

Decisive NBA Finals Game 6

The Golden State Warriors can close out the 2022 NBA Finals later tonight with a win in Boston over the Celtics. The Warriors took a pivotal Game 5 victory at home earlier this week, 104-94, thanks to the second consecutive MVP-like performance from… Andrew Wiggins? Sure, why not.

All semi-jokes aside, Wiggins has played far beyond any level he’s ever performed at up until this point in his career — not bad timing, either. But Steph Curry is still the Warriors MVP and will need to look the part in a series-clinching Game 6. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will have to play better for Boston to have a chance at a Game 7 back in San Francisco.

9:00 p.m. EST (ABC) Warriors @ Celtics | GSW leads 3-2

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That’s all the news and notes I have for you this morning. We’ve got Matt Jones and the crew hitting the radiowaves in an hour, so tune in for what will surely be another classic show.