KSR's Peach Jam Takeaways (and Scoop)

The 2023 Nike Peach Jam has come and gone, with Team Takeover defeating Vegas Elite to claim the EYBL Championship this past week in North Augusta. It was an event that featured generational talent, highlighted by the likes of Cooper Flagg, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer — clearly the top three players in all of high school basketball, regardless of class. It also saw new names emerge while others dropped off.

The Kentucky coaching staff was there to see it all, starting with John Calipari, Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman to open the evaluation period on July 6, followed by new assistant Chuck Martin arriving at Riverview Park Activities Center on July 8. Coach Cal returned to Lexington after one day to lead practice ahead of the Wildcats’ trip to Toronto for the GLOBL JAM while the assistants stayed on the trail through Saturday before making the trip to Canada.

KSR had its eyes peeled and ears to the ground throughout the week following along with Kentucky’s recruiting efforts and the latest scuttlebutt elsewhere. What did we learn? And how are things looking back in Lexington ahead of this week’s international showcase in Toronto?

Recruiting updates for Kentucky’s top targets

Kentucky is not expected to be the choice for Ahmad Nowell, who tells KSR he will announce his decision on July 23. UConn is seen as the favorite coming down the stretch. The Wildcats also remain conflicted on a scholarship offer for Team Final teammate Jalil Bethea, one of the best all-around scorers in the class. Barring a change of heart, the staff is expected to turn its attention elsewhere. The other options? Kentucky is seen as a top contender for Billy Richmond, who considered joining the team in Toronto to support his former high school and grassroots teammates but couldn’t get the visit scheduled with the quick turnaround following Peach Jam. Memphis and Alabama join the Wildcats as schools pushing the hardest for the four-star wing who was tremendous throughout the EYBL season (18.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG during the regular season, 13.8, 5.0 RPG during Peach Jam). Karter Knox is also a priority, with Louisville, Arkansas, Florida State and the G League also fighting for his services. He was a top-15 scorer during the regular season (No. 2 overall, 21.2 PPG) and Peach Jam (No. 15 overall, 16.4 PPG). Tre Johnson and Boogie Fland continue to hear from the staff, the latter scheduling a visit to Lexington in September. Both made it clear their recruitments had plateaued a bit with contending schools making similar pitches, but things would ramp back up following Peach Jam.

A new addition to the 2024 class? Jayden Quaintance, who scored a scholarship offer from Kentucky back in June. The five-star big is hoping for a fast-track path to the NBA, but his age (July 11, 2007 birthdate) restricts that possibility — he can’t enter the draft for two seasons. If he goes to college, the Wildcats are expected to be at or near the top of his priority list, but the pro route (G League, OTE and overseas) will also be seriously considered. If not Quaintance, the Wildcats also offered Patrick Ngongba — one of the fastest-rising bigs in 2024 — on Monday. UConn, Duke and Kansas are the other top contenders there.

As for 2025 options, Kentucky continues to push for Duke legacy recruits Cameron and Cayden Boozer, who continue to stress they are open to all college options — no pro route there. Multiple sources indicate the twin brothers are specifically intrigued by John Calipari and his track record of developing pro talent. As for fellow rising junior sensation Cooper Flagg, the Blue Devils are seen as the favorite, with professional options also lurking. Reclass buzz is also growing for the consensus five-star wing, who clearly has nothing left to show at this level as arguably the best high school player in the world, regardless of grade. That move could impact the Boozers’ plans — they’re not expected to share the spotlight together at the next level.

A few other ’25 standouts and major Kentucky targets are weighing their reclassification options in Jasper Johnson and Darryn Peterson. The Wildcats had preferred the former stick with his current class to let his body develop, but after a standout EYBL season, it’s under consideration. North Carolina, Alabama, Ohio State and Memphis are among other top options. As for the latter, he’s a take for Kentucky whenever he’d like to come, an immediate plug-and-play option in ’24 or ’25. Duke, UNC and OSU are among the other programs making a push for Peterson.

Both players are in a group chat with fellow ’25 standouts Meleek Thomas and Koa Peat — also Kentucky targets — discussing the idea of teaming up at the next level. We’ll see how many of them stick with their current class.

A bit further down the road, AJ Dybantsa will be a serious reclass candidate and Kentucky will be a contender to land his commitment. The five-star guard idolized the late Terrence Clarke growing up in Boston while playing for the same Expressions Elite program the former Wildcat starred for. He’ll be suiting up alongside Louisville native Tyran Stokes at Prolific Prep this season, forming one of the most dominant one-two punches in high school basketball this season — the latter telling KSR that Kentucky is making the hardest push for him right now.

Could the Wildcats land both? Potentially, but when? That’s the bigger question. Stokes is physically ready to make the jump to ’25, but academic hurdles could complicate things. Kentucky wants both for either class and the interest is mutual.

To put it simply, plenty of moving parts in each of the next three recruiting classes. The Wildcats are preparing for all scenarios for that very reason, with conversations regarding a specific plan of attack coming in the weeks following GLOBL JAM in Toronto.

Current roster scoop

What can fans expect from the current roster this week in Canada?

Reed Sheppard continues to turn heads in practice with consensus optimism regarding his potential impact on the floor sooner rather than later. The McDonald’s All-American is making shots and impressing as a facilitator while also fighting defensively. He’s going to play as a freshman — and potentially a lot.

Rob Dillingham has also exceeded expectations while sharing lead guard duties. He’s got the quickness, wiggle and shot-making that made him so entertaining in high school and grassroots while also working on shot selection and decision-making to maximize efficiency and minimize turnovers. His low-maintenance demeanor has also made him easy to work with while also embracing coaching. He’s worked well alongside DJ Wagner, Antonio Reeves and Justin Edwards as John Calipari has brought back the dribble-drive, working to get his guards downhill and create space. The addition of John Welch to the coaching staff has also been a major plus, throwing in new modern wrinkles such as zoom and get actions in four- and five-out looks to maximize ball movement and spacing.

Tre Mitchell‘s presence has specifically been felt in those areas, putting a versatile face-up contributor on the floor while Aaron Bradshaw works his way back to the floor. Ugonna Onyenso needed size and physicality to battle with for his own growth — Jordan Burks served as a backup five prior to the West Virginia transfer’s arrival — so things are now trending back in the right direction with him, as well.

Above all else, the team is meshing and playing complementary basketball. There will be early lumps — some potentially taken this week in Toronto — but long-term optimism regarding the ceiling is clear. Calipari (really) likes this group.