Kentucky’s push for Cherif Millogo still looks strong, even after the 7-foot-5 center took recent visits to BYU and USC.
That’s the latest read from recruiting guru Joe Tipton, who updated several 2027 prospects on Monday and said the Wildcats remain in front for the St. Francis (CA) standout. Tipton had already logged a prediction for Kentucky last week, and the new visits apparently didn’t change much.
“Millogo also visited USC and BYU over the weekend, but it sounds like Mark Pope and Kentucky have been able to hold on to their lead,” wrote Tipton. “At this point, I’d be surprised to see him play college basketball anywhere other than at Kentucky.”
Millogo, a native of West Africa, officially visited Kentucky in early October, and the momentum has continued to point toward Lexington since then. He’s listed as high as No. 8 overall by ESPN, where he carries a 5-star grade.
Rivals and 247 Sports both have him as a 4-star prospect, with Rivals placing him at No. 11 overall and 247 Sports ranking him No. 45.
At 7-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Millogo is the kind of frontcourt piece Kentucky has clearly made a priority for Mark Pope and his staff as they work to close the deal.
The picture is less clear with another Kentucky target in the paint, though.
Paul Osaruyi, a 6-foot-9, 225-pound power forward, had been viewed as a major Kentucky possibility after officially visiting in September. At one point, the Wildcats looked like a real contender, if not the team to beat.
Now, Tipton says that has shifted.
“There was a lot of talk surrounding the Wildcats initially, before they emerged as the leader for Cherif Millogo,” Tipton said. “Now, I no longer expect Mark Pope and Kentucky to make a strong push for the Osaruyi, a top-25 overall prospect.”
Tipton added that Mississippi State is making the strongest move for Osaruyi right now, which could set up a future SEC matchup if he ends up elsewhere in the league. 247 Sports ranks Osaruyi as high as No. 18 overall in the class of 2027.
For now, Kentucky appears headed toward a small 2027 class. The Wildcats are expected to have a good chance at landing Millogo and Ryan Hampton, who slipped to No. 27 in Rivals’ latest rankings. With Kentucky potentially bringing back most of its current roster next season - Franck Kepnang is the only player with expiring eligibility - the class may not be a large one, but Millogo remains the clear prize Pope wants in it.
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