Kentucky basketball fans, buckle up. While the football team is battling on Saturdays, Mark Pope is going full throttle on the recruiting trail — and his latest move has Big Blue Nation buzzing. The Wildcats have locked in an official visit from one of the most dangerous shooters in the 2026 class: Caleb Cloer, a 5-star wing who’s bringing his game to Lexington on September 17-18.
This isn’t just another visit. This is a potential program-shifting recruitment. If Pope can pull this off, it sends a loud and clear message: Kentucky basketball isn’t just back — it’s coming for the future.
Who Is Caleb Cloer and Why Is He Special?
Cloer is a 6-foot-7 small forward out of North Carolina, and if you follow high school hoops, you already know the name. Ranked No. 30 overall in the 247Sports Composite and widely regarded as a consensus 5-star prospect, Cloer checks every box for a modern-day wing.
Elite shooting touch
Great positional size
Athleticism to attack the rim
Confidence that screams NBA-level talent
His mindset? Laser-focused on making the league. Cloer has said it himself: his ultimate goal is the NBA, and he plans to choose the program that gives him the best path to get there. That’s where Kentucky — with its tradition of developing pros — comes in.
The Scouting Report: Why Coaches Love Him
Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports summed it up perfectly:
> “Cloer is a big-time shooter with wing size and bounce at the rim. He has a high, compact release and can hit all types of shots. Most importantly, he has the confidence and swagger all great shooters share.”
Here’s the breakdown:
Catch-and-shoot assassin – Shot 43% on spot-up attempts in EYBL play.
Dangerous off the dribble – Can create his own shot with one or two moves.
Athletic finisher – Not just a shooter; he can elevate and finish in traffic.
Playmaking ability – Keeps the ball moving and understands spacing.
This isn’t a one-dimensional player. Cloer is the kind of wing who thrives in an up-tempo, spacing-heavy offense — exactly what Pope wants to run at Kentucky.
The Recruiting Battle: Can Kentucky Shock UNC?
Let’s be real — North Carolina is the favorite right now. Pulling a home-state star away from a powerhouse like UNC is never easy. Tar Heel fans are already dreaming of Cloer in Carolina blue.
But here’s the thing: getting a player on campus changes everything. Mark Pope knows this. He’s already proven he can close big deals when he gets a recruit in Lexington. Just ask Braydon Hawthorne, who flipped to Kentucky after his visit.
This official visit gives Pope the chance to:
Showcase Rupp Arena’s electric atmosphere
Sell the vision of Kentucky’s new era under Pope
Highlight the program’s unmatched track record of producing NBA talent
And let’s not forget — Kentucky is still Kentucky. When you combine the tradition, the spotlight, and the development pipeline, it’s a tough offer to turn down.
Why This Recruitment Matters So Much
If Pope can land Cloer, it’s not just another five-star. It’s the first cornerstone of the 2026 recruiting class — and a statement that Kentucky isn’t just reacting to modern basketball; it’s leading the charge.
The Wildcats are building a roster around versatility, spacing, and shooting — and Cloer fits that vision like a glove. He’s the type of player who can start as a freshman, stretch the floor, and be a go-to scorer by Year 2.
For Big Blue Nation, that means this visit is about more than one recruit. It’s about proving that Pope can go head-to-head with the blue-bloods and win.
