Kentucky is still in the hunt for one of the biggest names in the 2027 class, and the latest list shows just how crowded this race is becoming. AJ Williams has trimmed his options to Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Arkansas, BYU, Auburn, Duke and Illinois.
The 6-foot-7 wing reclassified into the 2027 group, and the rankings back up the hype. ESPN and 247Sports have him at No. 5 nationally, while Rivals slots him at No. 4, according to A Sea of Blue.
Kentucky got in early, offering Williams on Sept. 1 and earning a spot on his shortened list soon after. That makes sense when you look at what he has produced.
In his most recent high school season, Williams put up 31.8 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. On the EYBL circuit, he added 19.3 points and 7.9 assists.
That assist number jumps off the page. A wing who can score like that is one thing; a wing who can also create nearly eight assists a night against elite competition is a different kind of problem for defenses.
Williams also brought that all-around value to the international stage, helping the United States win gold at the FIBA Under-17 AmeriCup. That setting put him in a talented group where individual stats were not the only thing that mattered.
His game gives college coaches a lot to work with. Williams has the size and playmaking to operate without a traditional point guard setting every possession, but he can also score well enough to make defenses pay if they treat him only as a facilitator.
Kentucky won’t have this one to itself. Duke and North Carolina bring the usual blue-blood pull, while Auburn and Arkansas have been aggressive recruiters in this era.
BYU has also shown it can land elite prospects with resources and a clear development plan. Georgia and Georgia Tech, the in-state options, could matter too depending on how Williams weighs proximity and familiarity.
Still, Kentucky has a strong pitch of its own. The Wildcats can point to a modern offense built around versatility, and Williams fits that vision cleanly.
He wouldn’t have to be boxed into one role. He could start actions, attack mismatches, rebound and move across the lineup.
The next step in the recruitment will be about visits and timing. For Kentucky, the key first move is already done: the Wildcats got on the list before the field narrowed. If they can finish the job, they’d be landing one of the class’s most complete offensive players and a centerpiece who can shape every possession.
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