Five-Star Guard Caleb Holt Narrows Focus to Five Schools: Arizona, Alabama, Houston, Kentucky, Providence in the Mix
The recruiting race for one of the most electric prospects in the 2026 class is heating up. Caleb Holt, a five-star shooting guard and the No. 3 overall player in the country, has trimmed his list to five programs: Arizona, Alabama, Houston, Kentucky, and Providence.
At 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Holt already brings the kind of size and physicality that translates well to the next level. He plays his high school ball at Prolific Prep, a powerhouse program that’s produced its fair share of elite college and NBA talent. Holt is also the top-ranked shooting guard in his class and the No. 1 player in the state of Florida - a résumé that makes him one of the most coveted recruits in the country.
So far, Holt has taken official visits to four of his five finalists - Arizona, Alabama, Houston, and Providence - with Kentucky being the lone program yet to host him. Arizona got its shot earlier this fall, bringing Holt to campus the weekend of October 4.
Where Things Stand
Recruiting projections are always fluid, and in Holt’s case, they’re starting to shift. Alabama has been labeled the favorite according to Rivals, with a 23.1% chance of landing the five-star guard.
But those numbers might not reflect the current state of play. Auburn - which didn’t even make Holt’s top five - is still listed as the second favorite by Rivals, suggesting that the prediction models haven’t caught up with Holt’s latest moves.
Meanwhile, 247Sports has a slightly different read on the situation. Arizona and Houston are currently labeled as "warmer" - a subtle but telling indicator of momentum in recruiting circles. Alabama, Kentucky, and Providence are all in the "warm" category, meaning they’re still very much in the hunt but may have some ground to make up.
Arizona, for its part, already has a commitment from another high-level shooting guard in the 2026 class: four-star prospect Cameron Holmes out of Goodyear, Arizona. But that hasn’t stopped the Wildcats from going all-in on Holt. And for good reason - Holt’s upside is immense, and there’s a real chance he could step into a major role right away.
What’s at Stake
Arizona could be looking at a bit of roster turnover heading into the 2026-27 season. Freshman guard Brayden Burries and forward Koa Peat have been making waves in their first year in Tucson, and both are generating serious NBA buzz. If they declare for the 2026 NBA Draft, Arizona will have major shoes to fill - especially in the backcourt.
That’s where Holt comes in. His size, skillset, and scoring ability could make him a plug-and-play option from day one.
And if Burries does indeed leave after one season, Holt could be the ideal successor at the two-guard spot. Add in Holmes, and Arizona could be looking at a dynamic young backcourt for the future.
Senior guard Jaden Bradley is also in his final season with the Wildcats, so the opportunity for immediate playing time will be there. If Holt chooses Arizona, he won’t just be joining a top-tier program - he’ll be stepping into a situation where he can make an impact early.
Decision Timeline
As of now, Holt hasn’t set a date for his college commitment. There’s a chance this recruitment could stretch all the way to the National Signing Period in April.
If that happens, expect plenty of twists and turns along the way. The longer Holt stays on the board, the more time programs have to make their pitch - and the more the recruiting landscape could shift.
Should Arizona land Holt, it would be a significant addition to their 2026 class, which would move up to 23rd nationally in the 247Sports rankings. That’s following a 2025 class that was ranked in the top five by several outlets - a sign that Arizona is building something serious under head coach Tommy Lloyd.
No matter where he ends up, Caleb Holt is going to be a game-changer at the college level. But for now, the spotlight is on five programs - and the countdown to his decision is officially on.