Kentucky WBB Recruiting Update: ZaKiyah Johnson's Top 6, 2029 in-state center Jayden McClain talks visit, and MORE

Last week, we came out with our first major recruiting update article here on Kentucky Sports Radio. While this one won’t be as jam-packed with information, it will be just as insightful.

The lead topic for this week’s recruiting update article revolves around one of the absolute best players in the 2025 class, ZaKiyah Johnson. As we touched on earlier this week, Johnson, the No. 4 prospect and top shooting guard in On3 HER’s 2025 Recruiting Rankings, trimmed her list of schools of consideration from 13 to six. It was 12, but UK was added into the mix later on.

Who made the top-six you may ask? That would be Notre Dame, South Carolina, USC, LSU, Louisville, and Kentucky. Yes, even though Kenny Brooks was late on the recruitment, the ‘Cats are still very much in contention for the 6-foot in-state talent.

Top 6❗️ pic.twitter.com/SvFhWsJQSQ

— ZaKiyah Johnson (@ZJohnson_06) July 3, 2024

As this recruitment heads into its final legs, it’s important to note that Louisville is the heavy favorite here. Not only does Johnson play in the city at Sacred Heart Academy, but she has been tied to the Cardinals for much of her life. Her high school teammate, Reagan Bender, also just signed with Louisville.

Still though, Kentucky is very much in it to win it here. Johnson actually spoke with On3’s Talia Goodman about her recruitment, breaking down what she thought of each of her top-six schools.

Johnson had some very positive things to say about Brooks and Kentucky as a whole.

“This one is definitely new. I already had a great relationship with Coach [Kenny] Brooks, but I didn’t really like the Virginia area. Now that he’s here and we’re building that connection, it’s going to be better because it’s closer and it’s something I’m familiar with. Also, Coach Josh [Petersen] from Miami – he was recruiting me at Miami and we talked a lot. He was kind of like one of my best friends. I’m very close with the staff and I think seeing the new program is really going to tell me what I need to know.”

Don’t write Kentucky off just yet, folks. Maybe Kenny Brooks’ first high school commitment at Kentucky can be the biggest in program history. Only time will tell.

2029 in-state center talks about UK visit and recruitment

On Monday, Jayden McClain, a 6-foot-6 center in the 2029 class out of Ryle High School, took an unofficial visit to UK. As one would probably expect, McClain was also offered by Brooks and the staff as things wrapped up.

After an amazing unofficial visit , and conversation with Coach Brooks and staff I’m excited to say I’ve been Re-Offered by Coach Brooks to play at the university of Kentucky !! @CoachBrooksUK 💙🤍 @bball_coachp @l_hicks04 @cgregory1_ @coachrad_uk #BBN #Wildcats pic.twitter.com/td2UmO2raU

— Jayden McClain (@JaydenMcClain24) July 1, 2024

McClain talked with KSR about her visit to Kentucky as well as her recruitment in general. For her, one of the main things that she took away from the visit was the staff. From Brooks to the assistants, she enjoyed talking with all of them.

“I loved the staff,” McClain explained. “I actually met Coach Josh [Petersen] when I was in 5th grade, and he’s really cool. [I’m] looking forward to building a relationship with Coach Brooks. He was chill, and I was comfortable with him.”

As she mentioned, she had previously met Josh Petersen, specifically when he was at Miami (FL). The connection has been rooted for several years already, which is a big positive for Kentucky. Additionally, McClain seemed to like how Memorial Coliseum was shaping up.

“The new renovations are nice, and I am excited to see the finished arena when I come back for games,” McClain noted.

As far as her conversation with Brooks went, it mainly consisted of the two sides being eager to keep building their relationship.

“[We talked about] just how long I have to go,” McClain said. “I have a lot of talent being so young, and they are excited to get to know me and hope to see me at a lot of games.”

Considering the early connection and the fact she’s an in-state talent, there’s no reason for Kentucky to not be competitive right up to the finish line. She already holds offers from Ohio State, Florida State, Pitt, and several others. McClain also revealed to KSR that she is currently planning visits to Clemson and Texas as well.

2025 four-star guard Madison Parrish takes UK visit

McClain wasn’t the only high-profile visitor on Kentucky’s campus. Class of 2025 guard Madison Parrish, the No. 88 overall player and No. 37 guard in the nation (ESPN), was also in Lexington for a visit.

2025 4⭐️ guard Madison Parrish wrapped up a visit to Kentucky yesterday.

The 5-foot-11 guard is the No. 88 player in the class, per ESPN. She also visited Virginia Tech when Kenny Brooks was still there. pic.twitter.com/htYaVT2uUy

— Phoenix Stevens (@PStevensKSR) July 2, 2024

While Parrish never posted an announcement on a UK offer, it’s probably safe to assume she was offered following her visit. She visited Virginia Tech back when Kenny Brooks was still in Blacksburg. Additionally, she has also visited Purdue, Michigan State and West Virginia.

This has been one of the quieter recruitments in the 2025 class class, but Parrish clearly likes Brooks enough to visit him multiple times (even though it’s a new school, the fact still stands). This may be an under-the-radar prospect that the staff can reel in to get things going on the high school recruiting scene.

Rundown of prospects offered by Kentucky

2025

• 5-star wing Agot Makeer – No. 6 overall, No. 1 wing – Crestwood Prep (Canada)
• 5-star guard ZaKiyah Johnson – No. 7 overall, No. 4 guard – Sacred Heart Academy (KY)
• 5-star wing Kaelyn Carroll – No. 29 overall, No. 7 wing – Tabor Academy (MA)
• 5-star wing Lauren Hurst – No. 35 overall, No. 8 wing – Cleveland High School (TN)
• 4-star guard Adelaide Jernigan – No. 58 overall, No. 24 guard – Bishop McGuinness (NC)
• 4-star guard Bryn Martin – No. 61 overall, No. 25 guard – No. Springboro (OH)
• 4-star forward Manuella Alves – No. 64 overall, No. 9 forward – Central Pointe Christian Academy (FL)
• 4-star guard Madison Parrish – No. 88 overall, No. 37 guard – Mason (OH)

2026

• 5-star forward Olivia Vukosa – No. 2 overall, No. 1 forward – Christ the King (FL)
• 5-star guard Trinity Jones – No. 5 overall, No. 4 guard – Bolingbrook (IL)
• 4-star point guard Kate Harpring – No. 18 overall, No. 2 point guard – Marist (GA)
• 4-star point guard Maddyn Greenway  – No. 21 overall, No. 3 point guard – Providence Academy (MN)
• 4-star wing Bella Ragone – No. 26 overall, No. 6 wing – Mill Creek (GA)
• 4-star guard Sanai Green – No. 29 overall, No. 12 guard – The Steward School (VA)

2027

• 5-star guard Ivanna Wilson Manyacka – No. 2 overall, No. 1 guard – Bullis (MD)
• Forward Isabella Marion – Unranked (international) – Denmark
• Guard Madeline Mignery – Unranked – Cardinal Mooney (FL)

2028

• Forward Sydney Douglas – Unranked (no rankings for 2028 yet) – Etiwanda (CA)
• Wing Ella Peper – Unranked (no rankings for 2028 yet) – Dexter Southfield (MA)

(Rankings from ESPN/HoopGurlz)