KSR's Kentucky Basketball Early Signing Period Preview

The next wave of future Kentucky basketball standouts will put pen to paper this week, as the early signing period begins today and runs through November 16. It’s an opportunity for verbal commitments to become official members of the 2023 recruiting class, ranked No. 1 overall in the On3 Consensus Team Rankings with three five-stars and one four-star.

Will anyone else join the fold? All eyes are on DJ Wagner, Kentucky’s final remaining target in hopes of creating a superclass in Lexington for the 2023-24 college basketball season.

What can fans expect to open the signing period Wednesday and the remainder of the week? Who will sign and when?

Confirmed Signings

Reed Sheppard

• Size: 6-2, 180 lbs.
• Ranking: No. 31 overall, No. 7 CG
• Original commitment: 11/20/21
• School: North Laurel HS (London, KY)
• Signing: 3:45 p.m. ET (Wednesday, Nov. 9)

Kentucky’s longest active commitment will make things official at a signing ceremony this afternoon at North Laurel High School, scheduled for 3:45 p.m. ET. Like his verbal pledge, he’ll become the program’s first official addition in the 2023 class in just a few hours.

KSR’s scouting report: Sheppard is a skilled combo guard capable of playing both on and off the ball. A standout three-level scorer, the four-star prospect has a smooth and consistent jumper with NBA range. He gets to his spots in the mid-range and thrives as a pull-up threat, while also finishing with touch inside. Bringing a high basketball IQ to the table, he’s also comfortable as a passer and playmaker. Defensively, he plays with effort and is active with his hands, creating regular steal and block opportunities. He’s working on adding strength and improving his lateral quickness, but his skill will translate to the next level.

Justin Edwards

• Size: 6-7, 180 lbs.
• Ranking: No. 5 overall, No. 3 SF
• Original commitment: 7/25/22
• School: Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia, PA)
• Signing: 6:00 p.m. ET (Wednesday, Nov. 9)

Like Sheppard, the five-star wing is set to put pen to paper to officially become a Wildcat at a signing ceremony at Imhotep Charter School this early evening. The two-way wing became Kentucky’s third commitment this past summer.

KSR’s scouting report: Edwards is a versatile lefty who thrives on the defensive end of the floor, using his length and instincts to force turnovers and lock down the opposing team’s best talent. Offensively, he thrives out of the mid-range and is growing as a 3-point shooter, but also looks to attack the basket and initiate contact to draw fouls. Arguably his best trait? He plays best when surrounded by elite talent, a big reason he chose to sign with Kentucky during the recruiting process.

Expected Signings

Rob Dillingham

• Size: 6-2, 165 lbs.
• Ranking: No. 8 overall, No. 2 CG
• Original commitment: 6/24/22
• School: Overtime Elite (Atlanta, GA)

Arriving at OTE just last week, no signing ceremony has been scheduled for Dillingham at his new school — for now, at least. The five-star guard is meeting with the program today to come up with a gameplan regarding his signing options. Multiple sources tell KSR that the top-10 prospect plans to sign with Kentucky during the early signing period. UK doesn’t expect any late snags holding up his official addition.

KSR’s scouting report: Dillingham is small, thin, struggles at times defensively and isn’t a crazy athlete. In terms of offensive production and entertainment value, though, you won’t find a better guard than the Kentucky pledge. He’s a living, breathing highlight real who becomes must-see TV every time he steps on the floor. Whether it be a 3-point jumper with a hand in his face, an ankle-breaking dribble move that leads to a flashy finish at the rim or a mid-range pull-up, Dillingham is a professional bucket-getter. Though erratic at times, he’ll step in and provide immediate offense in Lexington.

Aaron Bradshaw

• Size: 7-1, 210 lbs.
• Ranking: No. 3 overall, No. 1 C
• Original commitment: 10/14/22
• School: Camden HS (Camden, NJ)

Like Dillingham, no signing time or date has been confirmed as of yet with Bradshaw, Kentucky’s newest commitment. He has confirmed, though, he will be signing with the Wildcats during the early signing period. That’s the expectation on UK’s side, as well, giving the program a clean sweep of four signatures for each of their four current pledges.

KSR’s scouting report: Bradshaw made a significant jump this spring and summer, combining his shot-blocking and rim-running abilities with an emerging offensive game that now includes shot-making and comfort as a ball-handler on drives to the basket. Clunky before with limited foot speed and mobility, he’s now becoming more of a fluid athlete with real explosion around the basket. His motor isn’t always humming at peak performance — something he admits he’s working to improve — and confidence can be shaky at times, but there aren’t many 7-footers who can do what he can on both ends of the floor.

What about DJ Wagner?

• Size: 6-3, 170 lbs.
• Ranking: No. 6 overall, No. 1 CG
• School: Camden HS (Camden, NJ)

Kentucky’s prized recruiting target DJ Wagner is in the home stretch of the decision process, weighing his commitment and signing options this week leading up to his senior season at Camden. Multiple sources tell KSR that an announcement is expected during the early signing period, with the original and continued goal being to get it out of the way before the chaos of the season begins.

When could an announcement come? Keep an eye on the Champions Classic, college basketball’s premier early-season event to open the year. Kentucky will be on the sport’s biggest and brightest stage, a perfect PR opportunity for both sides. The chance for Nike to bring out all of its bells and whistles to promote its newest star athlete is an obvious one — a scenario national sources feel is very much on the table.

DJ Wagner is all Nike. https://t.co/mYJthkj7L9 pic.twitter.com/GsRcouqQt3

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) November 6, 2022

Pushing a public commitment to the end of the signing period also helps Kenny Payne and Milt Wagner at Louisville — the longer it drags out, the better for their image, something everyone involved would certainly prefer. Kentucky wants the recruit, obviously, but there’s also a deep respect for both individuals. It’s a delicate way to end a difficult head-to-head battle for both sides.

At the end of the day, the expectation is that John Calipari and the Kentucky coaching staff get their guy, with an announcement anticipated sooner rather than later to round out the program’s superclass.

Team Rankings

1. Kentucky (three 5-stars, one 4-star; average rating 98.40)
2. Duke (four 5-stars, one 4-star; average rating 98.27)
3. Oregon (two 5-stars, one 4-star; average rating 96.93)
4. Michigan State (one 5-star, three 4-stars; average rating 95.98)
5. Baylor (one 5-star, one 4-star; average rating 97.41)
6. Stanford (zero 5-stars, two 4-stars; average rating 97.04)
7. North Carolina (one 5-star, one 4-star; average rating 96.57)
8. Ohio State (zero 5-stars, three 4-stars, one 3-star; average rating 93.25)
9. Kansas (zero 5-stars, three 4-stars; average rating 95.36)
10. Iowa State (one 5-star, two four-stars, one 3-star; average rating 92.71)
11. Connecticut (zero 5-stars, three four-stars, one 3-star; average rating 93.92)
12. Texas (one 5-star; average rating 98.47)
13. Gonzaga (zero 5-stars, one 4-star; average rating 94.90)
14. Tennessee (zero 5-stars, two 4-stars, two 3-stars; average rating 92.81)
15. Memphis (zero 5-stars, two 4-stars, three 3-stars; average rating 89.68)
16. Illinois (zero 5-stars, two 4-stars; average rating 93.44)
17. USC (zero 5-stars, two 4-stars; average rating 94.18)
18. UCLA (zero 5-stars, two 4-stars; average rating 94.13)
19. Cincinnati (zero 5-stars, two 4-stars; average rating 94.09)
20. Maryland (zero 5-stars, two 4-stars, one 3-star; average rating 93.13)
21. Xavier (zero 5-stars, three 4-stars, one 3-star; average rating 91.17)
22. Houston (zero 5-stars, three 4-stars; average rating 93.00)
23. Virginia (zero 5-stars, two 4-stars; average rating 93.75)
24. Providence (zero 5-stars, two 4-stars; average 92.91)
25. Louisville (zero 5-stars, two 4-stars; average 93.65)

All rankings via 2023 On3 Consensus Basketball Recruiting Rankings