One of the biggest names in high school basketball is already talking about Kentucky — and official recruiting contact hasn’t even started yet.
AJ Williams, a 6-foot-7 small forward from Georgia, is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about players in the 2028 class. Rivals currently ranks him No. 2 nationally, while other industry rankings already place him No. 1 overall.
But despite all the hype surrounding his ranking, Williams says his focus goes far beyond being labeled the best player in his class.
According to Williams, the real goal is long-term success at the next level.
He explained that he’s more concerned about building a career that lasts in the NBA rather than simply being viewed as the top high school player right now. In his eyes, the bigger accomplishment is putting himself in position for a second NBA contract someday.
Williams recently made a major switch on the Nike EYBL circuit, joining Team CP3 after previously playing with the Georgia Stars. At the same time, he also jumped from 16U competition to the much tougher 17U level.
The transition hasn’t been easy.
Williams admitted the speed and physicality at the higher level are noticeably different, and he’s still adjusting to the pace and system. For now, his biggest focus is simply finding his rhythm against older competition.
As June 15 approaches — the date college coaches can officially begin direct communication with 2028 prospects — Kentucky appears ready to become a serious factor.
The Wildcats haven’t formally reached out yet, but several Kentucky coaches were reportedly watching Williams closely during the recent Nike EYBL session in Memphis.
And even though Williams acknowledged Kentucky has had some ups and downs recently, he still sees the Wildcats as one of college basketball’s premier pathways to the NBA.
That part clearly caught attention across Big Blue Nation.
Williams pointed out Kentucky’s long history of producing one-and-done talent and sending players to the league — exactly the type of environment he’s looking for.
The elite wing prospect has already visited programs like Auburn and Duke while also spending time around Georgia and Georgia Tech. Another major question surrounding his recruitment is whether he could eventually reclassify into the 2027 class.
Right now, though, Williams says he isn’t rushing that decision.
He explained that he’s trying to stay focused on the present and will evaluate the possibility later in the summer depending on how things develop.
As for what he wants from a college program, relationships currently matter most.
Williams says he’s searching for a coaching staff he can genuinely trust — one capable of helping him develop into a one-and-done NBA prospect while building a strong personal connection off the court as well.
When describing his own game, Williams mentioned Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum as one of the players he studies closely.
He views himself as a big guard who can handle the ball, create offense, and shoot at a high level — skills that continue making him one of the most intriguing young prospects in the country.
With Kentucky coaches already showing interest before official contact begins, this recruitment could become one fans watch very closely over the next few years.
