Kentucky basketball isn’t just aiming high with the class of 2026 — it’s swinging for the fences.
In a major recruiting development, the Wildcats were set to host two of the top 10 high school basketball players in the nation this weekend — Christian Collins and Cameron Williams — as head coach Mark Pope continues to reshape Kentucky’s recruiting identity.
But just days before the visit, the plans took an unexpected turn: Cameron Williams, the No. 4 overall recruit, has postponed his official visit, according to a report from 247Sports. While his visit is expected to be rescheduled, the sudden change adds even more intrigue to a recruiting weekend already packed with implications.
Despite the change, the Wildcats will still be rolling out the red carpet for Christian Collins, a fast-rising, ultra-versatile big man ranked No. 7 nationally, who has been rapidly ascending draft boards and recruiting rankings alike.
Who Is Christian Collins? From JV to National Star
Collins’ story reads like a sports movie script. Just a couple of years ago, he was playing on his high school’s junior varsity team and recovering from knee surgery. Today, he’s one of the most sought-after recruits in America, with a skill set that has coaches across the country fighting for his commitment.
The 6-foot-8 forward from St. John Bosco High School in California is known for his versatility — able to bring the ball up the court, score from the perimeter, dominate in the paint, and guard all five positions.
> “I’m extremely versatile. I can do whatever the coach wants me to do on the floor,” Collins said this summer. “Bring the ball up, spot up and shoot, sit in the post. I can guard one through five.”
His high school coach, Matt Dunn, said Collins is still growing — not just physically, but mentally.
> “He’s flexible enough to take advantage of bigger guys on the perimeter and smaller guys on the block,” Dunn said. “His greatest room for growth is understanding when to use each part of his skill set. Once that clicks, watch out.”
Collins is also no stranger to Kentucky’s staff. He has a long-standing relationship with assistant coach Jason Hart, who shares Southern California roots and has been recruiting Collins heavily.
> “I’ve known Coach Hart since my freshman year,” Collins said. “I used to play with his son. He’s a great guy, and we talk all the time.”
UK head coach Mark Pope has been personally involved as well, having worked with Collins at a USA Basketball training camp earlier this year. That camp also featured incoming Kentucky freshmen Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, which gave Collins an early glimpse at what UK’s future could look like.
Cameron Williams: The Kevin Durant Comparison Who’s Watching Closely
While Williams won’t be visiting this weekend, his presence looms large in the recruiting picture.
The 6-foot-11 power forward from Arizona is widely considered one of the most dynamic players in the class. He glides across the court like a guard, finishes explosively at the rim, and blocks shots with elite timing.
> “He glides across the court with intriguing fluidity, while also being able to explode with immense force around the rim,” said Zach Welch, an analyst at Pro Insight Basketball.
Williams has also shown elite flashes of shot creation, passing, and perimeter scoring — traits rarely seen in players his size. Some recruiting analysts have even drawn early comparisons to NBA superstar Kevin Durant — a label that comes with enormous expectations but speaks to Williams’ potential.
Since late August, he has taken official visits to SMU, Texas, and Purdue, and still has upcoming trips to Duke, USC, and Arizona. Notably, his visit to Duke will coincide with their signature Countdown to Craziness event and he
