Rising 4-star center Josh Irving, one of the top big men in the 2026 class, has officially scheduled his visit to Lexington for the weekend of October 10–12. The 6-foot-11 prospect from Pasadena, California, is the 19th player Kentucky has offered in the class and could be a cornerstone for the Wildcats’ future frontcourt.
The visit isn’t just any weekend — it lines up with Big Blue Madness, the program’s annual basketball showcase, which often serves as a major recruiting accelerator. And Irving won’t be visiting alone. He’ll be joined by 5-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr., setting the stage for a star-studded weekend.
Irving, ranked No. 44 nationally and the No. 10 center by Rivals, has laid out a packed visit tour ahead of his Kentucky trip:
San Diego State – August 21
SMU – August 29
Kansas – September 12
Louisville – September 19
Texas A&M – September 27
Kentucky – October 10
Southern California – October 17
Recruiting efforts for Irving are being spearheaded by assistant coach Jason Hart, with head coach Mark Pope staying closely involved.
Irving’s skill, size, and mobility make him a prime candidate to bolster Kentucky’s frontcourt depth, and his upcoming visit could be a pivotal step toward making that happen. Keep your eyes on this one — the ‘Cats might be closing in on a game-changer.
