Updated 2023 Rivals recruiting rankings loaded with top Kentucky targets

Baye-Fall-JJ-Taylor — <small>Baye Fall (left) standing next to JJ Taylor after being named co-MVPs at the Pangos All-Star Game.<small>

Baye Fall (left) standing next to JJ Taylor after being named co-MVPs at the Pangos All-Star Game.

The floodgates have been opened for basketball recruits in the rising junior class, as direct contact between coaches and players graduating in 2023 was allowed starting on June 15. From the moment the clock struck midnight, Kentucky reached out to a wide range of the nation’s best, ranging from can’t-miss five-star prospects and in-state standouts.

Just one day later, Rivals released its latest updated 2023 recruiting rankings, a list loaded with UK’s top targets.

At the top of the list? DJ Wagner, the son of former Memphis standout under John Calipari, Dajuan Wagner. The 6-foot-2 point guard out of Camden, NJ has not publicly confirmed any contact, interest or offers, but Kentucky is seen as the heavy favorite in his recruitment.

From there, confirmed Kentucky contact lines the updated rankings. You can check out the top 75 below:

1. Dajuan Wagner Jr.
2. Omaha Biliew (confirmed Kentucky contact)
3. Marquis Cook (confirmed Kentucky contact)
4. J.J. Taylor (confirmed Kentucky offer)
5. Mackenzie Mgbako
6. Jalen Lewis (confirmed Kentucky offer)
7. Elijah Fisher
8. Robert Dillingham (confirmed Kentucky contact)
9. Marvel Allen
10. Caleb Foster
11. Isaiah Collier
12. Baye Fall (confirmed Kentucky contact)
13. Simeon Wilcher (confirmed Kentucky contact)
14. Mikey Williams
15. Kwame Evans Jr. (confirmed Kentucky contact)
16. Bryson Warren
17. Kanaan Carlyle
18. Tyler Smith (confirmed Kentucky contact)
19. Aaron Bradshaw
20. Gregory Jackson
21. Justin Edwards
22. Ronald Holland
23. Taison Chatman (confirmed Kentucky contact)
24. Rayvon Griffith (confirmed Kentucky contact)
25. K.J. Lewis (confirmed Kentucky contact)
26. Taylor Bowen
27. Kris Parker
28. Dravyn Gibbs-Lawhorn (confirmed Kentucky contact)
29. Jayden Lemond (confirmed Kentucky contact)
30. Isaiah Miranda (confirmed Kentucky contact)
31. Elmarko Jackson
32. Brandon Gardner (confirmed Kentucky contact)
33. Layden Blocker
34. LeBron James Jr.
35. Xavier Booker
36. Chris Lockett Jr.
37. Cade Phillips
38. Jahnathan Lamothe
39. Reed Sheppard
40. Dennis Parker
41. Sam Walters
42. Matas Buzelis (confirmed Kentucky contact)
43. Jayden Hastings
44. London Johnson
45. Cameron Barnes
46. Ja’Kobe Walter (confirmed Kentucky contact)
47. Malik Bowman
48. Jordan Butler
49. Malik Presley
50. Justin McBride
51. Akil Watson
52. Brandon White
53. Aaron Clark
54. Jeremy Fears Jr. (confirmed Kentucky contact)
55. Stephon Castle (confirmed Kentucky contact)
56. Aden Holloway
57. Sean Stewart
58. Amani Hansberry
59. Jackson Shelstead
60. Marlon Barnes
61. Isaiah West
62. T.J. Power
63. Carl Cherenfant
64. Deshawn Harris-Smith
65. Gus Yalden
66. Kaleb Glenn (confirmed Kentucky contact)
67. Maki Johnson (confirmed Kentucky contact)
68. Brandon Garrison
69. Shawn Simmons
70. Jazz Gardner
71. Gavin Griffiths
72. Nate Sasser
73. Jalen Hooks (confirmed Kentucky contact)
74. Braelon Green
75. Ashton Hardaway