As commitments from the class of 2025 begin rolling in, college basketball coaches are already turning their attention to the 2026 and 2027 recruiting classes.
As usual, the Kentucky Wildcats are leading the charge in pursuing top-tier prospects. Head coach Mark Pope is actively working to keep Lexington a premier destination for elite talent.
One emerging name drawing Pope’s interest is CJ Rosser, currently ranked No. 3 in the class of 2027 by the 247Sports Composite. The standout from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, is quickly gaining national attention.
On Monday, Rosser revealed via Instagram that he received a scholarship offer from Pope and the Kentucky staff.
The offer follows Rosser’s unofficial visit to Duke in February, where he met with head coach Jon Scheyer. Since then, his offer list has grown to include programs like TCU, Maryland, Texas A\&M, and Georgia Tech.
Rosser plays for Northern Nash High School and competes with Team United on the Nike EYBL circuit. His trainer, Darius Spragley, recently told 247Sports that Rosser’s leadership qualities and high basketball IQ set him apart.
“What makes CJ special is his character off the court and how he’s evolving into a leader,” said Spragley. “He’s always open to learning he’s like a sponge. On the court, he’s a strong mid-post presence and has a solid shooting touch.”
Kentucky has already secured three major commitments in the 2025 class, headlined by five-star guard Jasper Johnson, center Malachi Moreno, and Croatian forward Andrija Jelavic.
Pope has also strengthened the roster through the transfer portal, adding Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen, Arizona State big man Jayden Quaintance, and Maryland forward Reece Potter.
Now entering his second year leading his alma mater, Pope is looking to build on a 24-12 debut season that ended in a Sweet 16 appearance. With momentum on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal, Kentucky is eyeing a return to the Final Four for the first time since 2015.
A bold charge about Kentucky basketball and Otega Oweh
Can Kentucky Still Be a Top-10 Team Without Otega Oweh?
As Mark Pope enters his second year at the helm in Lexington, Kentucky, basketball is reloaded and refocused. The Wildcats have made waves in the transfer portal and added elite young talent like Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, but one major piece of the puzzle remains uncertain: Otega Oweh.
Oweh, who transferred from Oklahoma, broke out in a big way last season. He led Kentucky in scoring with 16.1 points per game and became a cornerstone of the team thanks to his explosive athleticism and defensive versatility. Now, he’s weighing his NBA Draft options, and his decision could have major implications.
According to SB Nation’s Mike Rutherford, Oweh is one of the 12 most pivotal draft decisions this offseason. He wrote, “After transferring in from Oklahoma, Oweh was a breakout star for Mark Pope… Kentucky figures to be a preseason top-10 team with or without Oweh, but its national title hopes will receive a significant boost if they can get the elite slasher and on-ball defender back.”
Rutherford sees Kentucky as a top-10 squad regardless of Oweh’s return — a bold stance considering some early rankings place the Wildcats just outside that range, even assuming Oweh stays.
There’s no doubt Pope’s roster has tremendous upside, but turning that potential into wins is the real test. Oweh was Kentucky’s go-to option late in the season, especially after Jaxson Robinson’s injury. If he returns as a senior, he brings not just scoring, but valuable experience in Pope’s system — the kind of leadership that could elevate this team from top-10 hopeful to legitimate title contender.
Leave a Reply