Kentucky has jumped into the race for one of the top wings in the 2027 class, and it may not have much time to make an impression.
On Tuesday night, AJ Williams announced an offer from Mark Pope and the Wildcats, adding another heavyweight program to a recruitment that appears to be nearing a finish line. Williams posted, "Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Kentucky," on social media.
That timing matters. There has been recent buzz that a commitment could be coming soon for Williams, with one school beginning to separate itself late in the process.
BYU is viewed as the leader as the recruitment moves into its final stages, even with Kentucky now trying to push its way into the conversation. Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, North Carolina, Georgia and Duke are also in the mix.
Williams was once the top player in the 2028 class before making the move to 2027, and he remains one of the most closely watched prospects in the country. Kentucky likely has ground to make up, but the Wildcats may have gotten involved just in time to at least make this interesting.
Rivals’ Jamie Shaw described Williams this way: "AJ Williams brings a mature approach to the game. Positional size, listed at 6-foot-7, he has quality length and explosive athletic pop.
He is the top-ranked player in the 2028 recruiting cycle, and he is a shot-maker. Someone who is comfortable being at the top of a scouting report, and still getting to his spots at multiple levels and finishing plays.
He is not a super-dynamic or super-flashy player, but instead, he is steady, plays with a purpose, and rebounds in his area. Williams was second on last summer’s U16 USA Basketball team in minutes and third in scoring.
There is a lot of depth at his position, but it would also not surprise to see the team provide some different lineups that get their five best players, regardless of position, on the floor at the same time."
Williams also turned in a big showing for Team USA at the FIBA U17 World Cup, putting up 25 points, seven boards, two assists and two steals in 15 minutes against Japan while shooting 7-10 from the field, 5-6 from three and 6-6 from the line.
Now Kentucky is hoping it can make a late push count before Williams comes off the board.
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