Kentucky basketball’s recruiting momentum continues to heat up—this time with one of the most dominant big men in the 2026 class.
Arafan Diane, a 7-footer from Iowa United Prep, has moved up his official visit to Lexington after hosting head coach Mark Pope earlier this week. Originally set to visit Arkansas next weekend, Diane will now head to Kentucky first, with his trip to Fayetteville expected to be rescheduled, per KSR.
Diane has been on Kentucky’s radar for months after standing out during the Adidas 3SSB summer circuit. His production was eye-catching—averaging around 21 points, 13 rebounds, and nearly two blocks per game while showing flashes of an inside-out skill set.
At 7’0–7’1 and weighing close to 290 pounds, Diane is considered one of the most physically imposing prospects in the country. 247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein described him as “arguably the most physically dominant big man in the national class.” What makes him even more intriguing, though, is his versatility: soft shooting touch from deep, polished footwork in the paint, and smart decision-making with the ball in his hands.
The list of schools chasing Diane is a long one. Louisville, Kansas, UConn, Oregon, Indiana, Michigan, Houston, BYU, and Arkansas have all shown strong interest. But the fact that Kentucky has jumped to the front of his visit schedule could be a telling sign of where things stand.
Still, this is just the beginning. Diane is also expected to make trips to Arkansas and Houston in the coming weeks, meaning Pope and his staff will need to make their case quickly and convincingly.
Landing Diane would be a major statement for Kentucky. He’s not just a traditional back-to-the-basket big—he’s a modern center who can anchor a defense, stretch the floor, and punish opponents in the post. If the Wildcats can seal the deal, Diane could be one of the foundational pieces of Pope’s 2026 recruiting class.
This is one recruitment Kentucky fans will want to watch closely.
