Mark Pope’s latest recruiting push has Kentucky in the middle of a serious fight for one of the top big men in the 2027 class.
The Wildcats are in the mix for five-star center Darius Wabbington, a 6-foot-11 prospect from Sunnyslope in Phoenix who is also listed in the 2027-28 group. According to Sam Kayser on X, Wabbington has trimmed his list to six schools, and Kentucky made the cut. So did Louisville, Arizona, Texas, Indiana and North Carolina.
That alone puts the Wildcats in a heavyweight recruiting race, but the timing makes it even more interesting. Kentucky does not yet have an official visit scheduled with Wabbington, while Louisville gets the first crack at him on September 11 with Pat Kelsey.
Pope and his staff have clearly built some momentum on the recruiting trail. They went after No. 1 player in the 2027 class Marcus Spears Jr. almost immediately after landing their first five-star freshman in Ryan Hampton, and there’s no sign the push is slowing down.
Wabbington looks like the kind of prospect that explains why so many major programs are circling. 247Sports has him ranked No. 13 nationally, and his game fits the modern college game well.
He has a versatile post skill set, works best with his back to the basket and can also be effective cutting behind defenders. At the same time, his frame suggests there’s still more physical growth ahead, much like Malachi Moreno.
That comparison matters for Kentucky because Moreno’s future points toward a likely move to the professional level after another season in Lexington. He nearly left for the NBA this offseason, and if he does go, the Wildcats would suddenly be looking at a major hole at center.
That’s where Wabbington becomes such an important target. He would give Kentucky a chance to reset at one of the rarest and most valuable spots in college basketball. His build and measurements line up closely with Moreno’s, though his athletic ceiling already appears higher.
And with Louisville in the mix, the pressure only rises. When Kentucky and Louisville are battling for the same player, the win means plenty - and the loss stings just as much.
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Mark Pope May Have Kentucky On The Verge Of Another 2027 Splash
Mark Pope already has Kentucky off to a strong start in the 2027 class with five-star guard Ryan Hampton on board, and the early momentum around that group is starting to feel like more than a one-name story. The next wave of attention is drifting toward another elite prospect who has been productive with USA Basketballs U17 team and is already drawing the kind of national buzz that usually turns a recruiting board into a full-time obsession.
Kentucky has at least been in the conversation, with an unofficial visit already on the books, and the appeal is obvious if Pope can keep stacking high-end talent. The idea of pairing Hampton with another premier 2027 piece gives the Wildcats a chance to make real noise early in the cycle, but whether they can turn that interest into a second splash is still the part everyone is waiting to see play out. [Read more 🡒]