Kentucky Still in the Hunt for Elite 2026 Sharpshooter Billy White III — Could He Be the Next Koby Brea

Kentucky Still in the Hunt for Elite 2026 Sharpshooter Billy White III — Could He Be the Next Koby Brea? 🔥🏀

 

The July live period is in full swing, and Kentucky is wasting no time making moves on the recruiting trail. One name the Wildcats are keeping a close eye on? Billy White III, a 6-foot-8 sniper from Texas who’s lighting it up on the adidas 3SSB circuit  and who could become the next Koby Brea under Coach Mark Pope’s watch.

White, one of the premier shooters in the 2026 recruiting class, told KSR that Kentucky has remained consistent in its communication. “I talk to Kentucky, I would say, every week or so,” White said at last week’s 3SSB Championships in Rock Hill, SC. “Just good conversations. They said Coach Pope is gonna come out and watch me a little bit more this live period. I still hear from them a good amount.”

And true to their word, Coach Pope was courtside last Thursday watching White suit up for ASAK, with assistants Mikhail McLean and Alvin Brooks III continuing to build that relationship behind the scenes. McLean even visited White in Corpus Christi earlier this year  a clear sign that Kentucky sees real potential.

“He just said he likes my progression and likes my game,” White said. “He thinks Kentucky could really build me into an NBA prospect.”

A Star on the Rise 📈

At the 3SSB Championships, White averaged 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and knocked down nearly three triples per game, including a blistering 25-point outing against Garner Road where he hit seven three-pointers.

But it’s not just about the numbers  it’s the versatility and size at 6’8″, combined with that smooth perimeter stroke, that has Kentucky drawing comparisons to Koby Brea, the Dayton transfer who transformed into a second-round NBA pick after just one season in Lexington.

“I’m a shooter,” White said bluntly. “That’s what I get recruited to do. You saw the success with Koby Brea this past year, and just how fast they (Kentucky) play  you get open shots all the time.”

Is an Offer on the Way? 📝

Kentucky hasn’t officially offered White yet but that could change soon. According to White, Pope’s in-person evaluation during the live period is a key checkpoint. “They said Coach Pope coming to watch me is a big step towards that,” he said. “So once he gets back from this live period, he’ll sit down with the coaches, and they’ll go from there with it.”

If an offer does come through, expect Kentucky to move right into the top tier of White’s recruitment.

A Busy Fall Ahead 🍂

White already has a stacked official visit schedule for the fall:

• Virginia (Aug. 28-30)
• SMU (Sept. 6-8)
• Oklahoma (Sept. 20-22)
• Oklahoma State (Sept. 28-30)
• TCU (Oct. 3-5)
• LSU (Oct. 10-12)
• Maryland (Oct. 17-19)

A visit to Kansas is also expected to be added in mid-August, and a trip to Lexington could quickly rise to the top of his priority list if Kentucky makes things official.

“I’m keeping my options open,” White added. “That’s a program I’m looking forward to.”

With his list set to shrink in the coming weeks and a commitment decision targeted for shortly after his visits wrap up, don’t be surprised if Kentucky turns up the heat  and lands a future sniper who fits right into Pope’s run-and-gun revolution.