Kentucky’s been flirting with the top of the 2026 recruiting class — but hasn’t sealed the deal just yet. Tyran Stokes, Christian Collins, Maximo Adams — all elite prospects who listed Kentucky among their finalists but ultimately chose elsewhere. Now, another major name has put the Wildcats in the mix, and this time, it feels different.
Five-star forward Baba Oladotun, once ranked the No. 1 player in the 2027 class before reclassifying to 2026, has announced his final four schools: Kentucky, Maryland, Georgetown, and Arkansas.
At 6-foot-10, Oladotun is exactly the type of modern big man Mark Pope covets — versatile, switchable, and skilled on both ends. He’s an elite defender who can guard every position and stretch the floor with confidence.
“I can spread the floor,” Oladotun told Zags Blog this summer. “I can play any position on the court… and the three ball is definitely one of the best parts of my game.”
It’s easy to see why every major program wants him. Maryland is seen as the current favorite, but a familiar face — former Kentucky coach John Calipari, now at Arkansas — recently made a late push with an in-person visit.
Oladotun hasn’t announced when he’ll make his decision, but with his final list public, the countdown has officially begun. For Mark Pope, landing a player of this caliber would be a signature recruiting victory — the kind that defines the early years of his Kentucky tenure.
After so many near-misses, could this finally be the breakthrough Pope’s been waiting for? Kentucky fans will be watching this one closely.
