Mark Pope already made a splash on the recruiting trail by landing five-star wing Ryan Hampton, and that commitment has Kentucky sitting on the kind of 2027 class that can get away from the rest of the field early. The next move, at least in this view, is obvious: go after CJ Rosser.
Rosser is a five-star forward listed at 6-foot-9, and he’s been putting together a strong run with USA Basketball’s U17 team. Playing alongside other top recruits from around the country, he’s averaging 15.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in fewer than 20 minutes a game.
The shot is what jumps off the page. Rosser is hitting 46.7% from three-point range, a wild number for a player his size. A power forward who can run the floor, pull up in transition, and score from deep like that is not a normal find.
CJ Rosser is averaging 15.5 points & 4.3 rebounds while shooting 46.7% 3P in 18.4 minutes per game.
The 6-9 forward is Rivals’ No. 2 overall player in the 2027 cycle - has taken unofficial visits to UNC, Kentucky, NC State & Louisville. https://t.co/xUvtV48R4g pic.twitter.com/nxkZwKNrXI
- Jamie Shaw (@JamieShaw5) July 2, 2026
There are questions about his frame, but the size, length and confidence level all point in the same direction. Rosser profiles as a stretch forward with real upside, and if he keeps developing, he could become one of the most intriguing young players in college basketball.
That’s why Kentucky should keep pushing.
The case here isn’t that Pope should go into a win-or-bust stance the way Kentucky did with Tyran Stokes earlier this offseason, when Stokes picked Kansas. If Rosser isn’t interested early, the Wildcats should absolutely be ready to pivot. But if there’s a player worth aggressive recruiting, it’s the No. 3 recruit in the country.
Rosser and Hampton make for a rare kind of duo. They play a similar style, score in similar ways, and would give Kentucky a pair of elite bucket-getters on the wing and at the four. That kind of tandem would be a huge statement for Pope on the recruiting trail.
Kentucky already has a promising roster for this season, but a Hampton-Rosser combination would bring a different level of attention to Lexington. Rosser has already taken unofficial visits to Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina and NC State, according to Jamie Shaw on X, and Kentucky should be looking to build on that momentum with an official visit.
If Pope can get that done, the Wildcats might have the kind of one-two punch in the 2027 class that turns heads fast.
In Other News...
Kentuckys UCLA Recruiting Battle Just Took A Wild Public Turn
Nikola Kusturica has become one of the more intriguing names in the Kentucky-UCLA recruiting crossfire, and the picture around the 17-year-old prospect has shifted enough to get attention on both coasts. Once viewed by some as a possible Kentucky target, the projected lottery pick now appears to be trending toward UCLA, which adds another layer to a chase that already had plenty of buzz around it.
For Kentucky, the timing matters because Mark Pope still has a roster spot available and is continuing to look for more talent to finish out his group. Kusturicas rise has only made the watch list more interesting, especially after his standout play at the U17 World Cup, and the public back-and-forth around his recruitment has only underscored how closely fans are tracking every twist in the race. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky QB Sends Bold Message About DJ Millers Ceiling
Kenny Minchey has not taken long to notice the upside around him in Kentuckys passing game. The new quarterback, who arrived from Notre Dame, has been talking up sophomore receiver DJ Miller for his size, athleticism and confidence, the kind of traits that can make a young target stand out quickly in a new offense. Miller already gave the Wildcats a preview of what he can do as a freshman, finishing with 13 catches for 175 yards and two scores, including a breakout performance against Tennessee that hinted at a much larger role ahead.
For Kentucky, the most encouraging part may be how naturally Minchey and Miller seem to be developing together as the offense takes shape for the upcoming season. Millers production last fall only scratched the surface of his ceiling, and Mincheys belief in him adds another layer of intrigue to a unit still looking for reliable playmakers. If that connection keeps growing, it could become one of the most important storylines on Kentuckys side of the ball. [Read more 🡒]