Kentucky is still in the hunt for one of the premier names in the 2027 class, and AJ Williams has now trimmed his group down to 10 schools.
The 6-foot-7 wing, who reclassified into the 2027 cycle, listed Kentucky alongside Georgia, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Arkansas, BYU, Auburn, Duke and Illinois. 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 the mix early, offering Williams on Sept. 1 and earning a spot on his shortened list soon after. That timing makes sense when you look at what he brings to the table.
Williams put up 31.8 points and 12.7 rebounds in his latest high school season. On the EYBL circuit, he added another layer to his profile by averaging 19.3 points and 7.9 assists.
That last number jumps off the page. Wings can fill it up, sure, but not many are creating that many baskets for others while facing top-end competition.
He also picked up a gold medal with the United States at the FIBA Under-17 AmeriCup, where production had to coexist with winning on a loaded roster. That experience only adds to the appeal of a player whose game already looks tailor-made for a modern offense.
Williams’ size and passing make him the kind of prospect who can bend a roster around him. He doesn’t need a traditional point guard to hand him the ball every trip, and he can still score enough to keep defenses honest if they try to treat him only as a passer.
Kentucky isn’t alone here, and the competition is serious. Duke and North Carolina bring the usual blue-blood pull.
Auburn and Arkansas have been aggressive in the current recruiting landscape. BYU has shown it can land elite talent with resources and a clear plan.
Georgia and Georgia Tech also remain in the picture, especially if proximity and familiarity end up mattering most.
For Kentucky, the pitch is straightforward: a versatile wing can become the hub of the offense. Williams could initiate sets, attack mismatches, rebound and move across the lineup without being boxed into one role.
The next step in the recruitment will be about visits and timing. For now, the Wildcats have done what they needed to do by getting onto the list before Williams started cutting things down.
If Kentucky can finish the job, it would be landing one of the class’s most complete offensive players - a potential centerpiece who can touch every part of the game.
In Other News...
Izzo Is Betting On A Michigan State Formula Fans Know Well
Tom Izzo is once again leaning into a roster-building approach Michigan State fans know well, putting more stock in high school recruiting than in a heavy reliance on the transfer portal. This seasons group reflects that familiar formula, with the Spartans adding one transfer alongside a highly ranked recruiting class as they try to strike the right balance between youthful upside and a little bit of seasoned help.
The real test starts to come quickly, with Michigan State opening exhibition play on Oct. 2 against Incarnate Word. It is the kind of early look that can reveal how smoothly the pieces fit together, and for Izzo, it is another chance to show whether patience and player development can still carry as much weight in todays game as portal shopping does across the sport. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Faces Early Depth Concerns Before Nebraska Opener
Michigan State heads into Saturdays Big Ten opener against Nebraska carrying some early roster uncertainty, and the availability report already gives the Spartans a thinner margin than they would prefer at this stage of the season. Brady Pretzlaff and Jay Coyne have both been ruled out, and they are joined by four other players who will not be available at Spartan Stadium.
Three more Spartans are listed as questionable, leaving the staff to manage depth issues before a conference game that arrives quickly and with little room to ease into it. The matchup is set for a Big Ten Network broadcast, and for Michigan State, the bigger storyline may be less about the opponent than about how much of the roster can actually make it through the opener. [Read more 🡒]
Tom Izzo Sounds Different About This Michigan State Team
Michigan State has opened practice for the 2026-27 season, and with Tom Izzo entering his 32nd year on the bench, the start of another campaign naturally comes with the usual mix of curiosity and caution. This time, though, Izzo sounded especially encouraged as he discussed the roster, player development and what he sees taking shape during the early stages of preparation.
The Spartans have the kind of depth that can make a preseason feel different, and Izzo pointed to the way freshmen are being brought along as part of that equation. He also singled out Jeremy Fears and Dan Bartholomae, part of a wider group he believes gives Michigan State a real foundation, though the exact shape of the rotation is still something this team will have to sort out in practice. [Read more 🡒]