LIVE BLOG: Mark Pope is back watching Kentucky recruits at Peach Jam

Checking Back in on a Few Kentucky Targets

It looks like TJ Jamison is a name you need to get to know. Alvin Brooks and Jason Hart are watching the 2027 point guard for the second time today. Jacob Polacheck was there when the two assistants joined Mark Pope to see Boba Oladatun in action. There is buzz that the 2027 forward could reclassify.

Pope is in the Building

After spending some time on the West Coast, Mark Pope made his way back to North Augusta for the Peach Jam. He’s joined Brooks and Hart to watch Christian Collins in action. The 6-foot-8 swing man is the third-ranked player in the 2026 recruiting class.

Jason Hart Repping Kentucky at Peach Jam

Jacob Polacheck has his boots on the ground in North Augusta as the Peach Jam inches closer to its conclusion. This morning, he spotted UK assistants Jason Hart and Alvin Brooks, who are checking in on 2027 point guard TJ Jamison.

Mark Pope was up bright and early on Saturday

After spending Friday in Los Angeles to catch some action on the adidas 3SSB circuit, Mark Pope has returned to North Augusta for another day at Peach Jam. Up first, he got eyes on four-star 2026 SF Bryson Howard, marking the third straight day a UK coach has been courtside for the nation’s No. 26 overall recruit. The Wildcats have already offered him, too.

KSR+ talks with Tyran Stokes’ mom

Jacob Polacheck of KSR+ broke down the latest on Tyran Stokes’ recruitment with his mother, Keiara Stokes, earlier today in North Augusta. She hit on her son’s official visits to Kentucky and Louisville, where he’ll go visit next, a commitment timeline, and more.

Brooks slides over to watch Howard, Oladotun

Alvin Brooks has moved over to check out 2026 four-star SF Bryson Howard (Pro Skills) and 2027 five-star SF Baba Oladotun (Team Durant) in a head-to-head battle. Both hold offers from Kentucky. This is the second time in as many days a UK assistant has had eyes on Howard and Oladotun.

Mark Pope is at adidas 3SSB in Los Angeles

Wondering why Mark Pope hasn’t been at Peach Jam today? Aaron Torres discovered Pope is out in Los Angeles for another adidas 3SSB event. Kentucky recently offered a pair of 3SSB recruits earlier in the week: four-star center Arafan Diane (Iowa United) and four-star forward Cam Williams (Compton Magic). Other 3SSB targets include Tay Kinney, Deron Rippey Jr., Caleb Holt, and more.

More eyes on Tyran Stokes

Kentucky just refuses to miss a game for top priority recruit Tyran Stokes. Mark Pope isn’t in the building for Friday’s game between the Oakland Soldiers and Team Thad, but assistants Jason Hart and Alvin Brooks III both are.

Welcome back to the gym, Coach Brooks

Another UK assistant, Alvin Brooks III, has made his way back to the Peach Jam gyms for Friday games. Up first, he’s getting some eyes on four-star 2027 point guard Beckham Black, who is ranked No. 24 by the Rivals Industry Ranking. Kentucky first reached out to Black shortly after the contact period opened on June 15.

Jason Hart opens Friday with Vegas Elite vs. Team Melo

Day two of this week’s live period starts with Kentucky assistant coach Jason Hart sitting courtside for Vegas Elite vs. Team Melo. Vegas Elite features 2026 four-star wing Anthony Felesi, a recruit Kentucky coaches also watched play on Thursday. Maximo Adams of Vegas Elite is also a name to keep an eye on. The 6-foot-7 wing is a top 50 prospect in 2026.

Mark Pope kicked Jack Pilgrim out of Peach Jam

For good reason, though! Jack had to make an emergency drive back home on Thursday so he could be with his wife for the birth of their second child. Welcome to the world, Myles Pilgrm!

Kentucky three deep for Tyran Stokes

Kentucky is all-in on Tyran Stokes, the top-ranked 2026 recruit and native of Louisville. Mark Pope was joined by a pair of assistants, Alvin Brooks and Jason Hart, to check out Stokes’ Oakland Soldiers go up against Brad Beal Elite earlier today. Shortly after that game wrapped up, Pope popped over to check out 2027 five-star Baba Oladotun suit up for Team Durant.

Full staff checks out Anthony Felesi

Jason Hart popped in for the second half of Smith, Samuels and Howard, then the whole gang moved over to watch 2026 four-star wing Anthony Felesi in the next game set.

He doesn’t hold an offer, but he’s planning a visit to Lexington in August. Time to see just how serious the Cats get with the 6-5 prospect out of Utah.

Alvin Brooks III joins Pope for three top-30 targets

We have eyes on another Kentucky assistant, AB3 joining Pope to watch Team Takeover’s Jordan Smith and Qayden Samuels vs. Bryson Howard of ProSkills.

All three recruits hold offers and are considered consensus top-30 players in the class of 2026.

Welcome, Jason Hart — who is watching a ‘27 4-star

The Kentucky staff is dividing and conquering here early in North Augusta with Hart checking out a four-star point guard on the other side of the facility.

Pope finds Jamal Crawford

They never played together in the NBA, but their time in the league overlapped with Pope suiting up for the Bucks and Nuggets when Crawford — a three-time Sixth Man of the Year — played for the Bulls and Knicks. Mutual respect between a pair of former pros.

Mark Pope has arrived — and he’s watching a kid from Louisville