Frisco, Texas phenom and elite 2026 prospect Bryson Howard arrives in Lexington for what could be the final chapter of his recruitment.
The next star to wear Kentucky blue might be walking around Lexington this weekend.
Bryson Howard, a 5-star wing from Heritage High School in Frisco, Texas, is currently on an official visit to the University of Kentucky — and there’s growing speculation that this could be his last stop before making a college decision.
And make no mistake: if head coach Mark Pope and his staff can close this one, it would be massive.
Howard’s Stock Is Soaring
The 6-foot-5, 190-pound wing is one of the fastest-rising players in the 2026 recruiting cycle. Just last month, he climbed a staggering 17 spots in 247Sports’ updated national rankings, moving from No. 29 to No. 12 overall. Over at Rivals, he’s ranked even higher at No. 11, and ESPN has begun ramping up coverage of his performances on the Nike EYBL circuit.
So why all the hype?
Howard has put together one of the most efficient and versatile offensive seasons on the AAU trail in recent memory. Playing for Pro Skills, a Texas-based powerhouse program on the Nike EYBL circuit, he averaged:
20.7 points per game
5.8 rebounds
1.6 assists
2.1 steals
56.8% from the field
46.2% from three-point range (49-of-106)
These numbers came over 21 games against elite national talent, including a standout performance at Peach Jam, the most prestigious grassroots basketball tournament in the country.
Howard isn’t just a shooter — he’s a high-IQ, two-way wing with the tools to contribute right away at the college level. He defends multiple positions, rebounds well for his size, and plays with a calm, efficient offensive approach that rarely forces bad shots.
A Perfect Fit for Pope’s System
Kentucky basketball under Mark Pope has quickly taken on a new identity — up-tempo, three-point heavy, and guard/wing-driven. In just his first season in Lexington, Pope’s team set a new single-season program record with 341 made three-pointers.
That’s not a coincidence.
Pope, known for his offensive innovation, has emphasized spacing, ball movement, and perimeter shooting — and a player like Howard, who shoots 46% from deep against top-tier defenders, fits the system like a glove.
While Kentucky has already added some high-level talent in the 2025 and 2026 classes, they haven’t landed a wing with Howard’s elite combination of shot-making and defensive versatility. He could be the missing piece to elevate the Wildcats from contenders to national title threats in the years ahead.
A Legacy of Basketball Excellence
Basketball excellence runs deep in Bryson Howard’s bloodline.
He is the son of Josh Howard, a former NBA All-Star who played 10 seasons in the league and was the 2003 ACC Player of the Year at Wake Forest. Josh’s No. 5 jersey is retired at Wake, where he earned First-Team All-American honors and led his team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
As a pro, Josh was a key piece of the Dallas Mavericks during their 2000s playoff runs and averaged nearly 15 points per game over his NBA career.
That pedigree matters. Bryson has not only inherited the physical tools — but also the basketball IQ, work ethic, and competitive drive of a player raised around the highest levels of the game
A Decision Could Be Coming Soon
Sources close to the recruitment suggest that this Kentucky visit may be Howard’s final official before making a decision. That’s significant — recruits rarely take a last-minute trip without serious interest.
Adding more intrigue, the visit comes just one week before Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness, the program’s annual fan-favorite showcase that often doubles as a recruiting pitch. Could Howard be waiting to commit during or shortly after the event, when all eyes are on the program?
It wouldn’t be the first time a high-profile prospect used the spotlight of Big Blue Madness to announce a commitment — and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.
What This Means for Kentucky
If Kentucky lands Bryson Howard, it would signal a major win for Mark Pope on the national recruiting trail — and send a clear message that the Wildcats aren’t just rebuilding under new leadership, but reloading with elite talent.
Howard would give Kentucky one of the most efficient scorers in the 2026 class, a high-character player with professional-level training, and a wing tailor-made for the modern college game.
Recruiting momentum is everything — and right now, it feels like Kentucky’s making a major push to stay among the elite programs in college basketball.
The question now is: Will Bryson Howard become the next great Wildcat?
Stay tuned.
