Several Kentucky recruiting targets set to take the stage at Chipotle Nationals

After 15 years, the top high school basketball tournament in the country is headed to Brownsburg, Indiana. Previously known as the GEICO Nationals, Chipotle has taken over as the main sponsor for this prestigious annual event.

Starting on Thursday afternoon and continuing through Saturday, eight of the best high school basketball programs in the country will battle it out in what is being called the Chipotle Nationals. As is the case every year, plenty of Kentucky targets will be in action.

While none of the players participating in this event are currently committed to Kentucky, there are seven names in particular that you’ll want to keep an eye on over the coming days. Thursday’s quarterfinals will be available on ESPNU while the semifinals (Friday) and championship (Saturday) will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Below is the entire Chipotle Nationals bracket, along with a breakdown of Thursday’s games and which recruits the Big Blue Nation should pay close attention to. Live stats are available at the link here.

Thursday, April 4 – Quarterfinals

2:00 PM EST | #2 Paul VI (VA) vs. #7 IMG Academy (FL)

IMG Academy’s Darius Acuff is the player for the BBN to watch in this one. Considered the No. 7 overall recruit in the 2025 class, Acuff has taken official visits to Kentucky and his home state of Michigan. Checking in at 6-foot-1, the crafty point guard doesn’t appear to be close to making a decision, however, Kentucky is among the clear frontrunners at this still-early stage.

4:00 PM EST | #4 Long Island Lutheran (NY) vs. #5 Columbus (FL)

A pair of Kentucky targets will suit up for Columbus — they also happen to be twin brothers. Cameron and Cayden Boozer are among the top-ranked high school juniors in the country, especially Cameron. Standing at 6-foot-9, Cameron is the No. 2-ranked recruit in the 2025 class. Cayden is smaller as the 6-foot-3 point guard, but he’s not too far behind at No. 16 overall. The Boozer twins have officially visited Kentucky, Miami (FL), Florida, and Duke. They figure to be a package deal for the college level. The Hurricanes are currently viewed as the favorite.

6:00 PM EST | #3 Prolific Prep (CA) vs. #6 Link Academy (MO)

This will be the game to watch for UK fans. Prolific Prep features the top players from the class of 2025 and 2026. 6-foot-8 SF AJ Dybantsa is the top-ranked junior while 6-foot-7 SF Tyran Stokes is the top-ranked sophomore. Both have ties to Kentucky — Dybantsa through his relationship with the late Terrence Clarke and Stokes a native of Louisville. Dybantsa has taken official visits to Southern California and Auburn while Stokes has yet to schedule his just yet.

On the other end of the court, Link Academy will roll out Lexington native Jasper Johnson, who transferred away from Woodford County last offseason. Johnson has endless ties to the Kentucky program and has visited multiple times already. Auburn, Baylor, and North Carolina are all involved, but he’s Kentucky’s to lose at this point. The 6-foot-4 Johnson is ranked No. 11 overall in the class of 2025.

8:00 PM EST | #1 Montverde Academy (FL) vs. #8 AZ Compass Prep (AZ)

The final game on Thursday is headlined by the top-ranked program in the country, Montverde Academy, but there’s only one reason why Kentucky fans would want to tune in: Montverde’s Liam McNeeley. Once signed to Indiana, the 6-foot-7 McNeeley recently reopened his recruitment and has since heard from the Wildcats, along with the likes of Kansas, UConn, Houston, and Michigan. Already a senior, McNeeley expects to decide in the coming weeks. He’s ranked as the No. 15 overall recruit from the class of 2024.