How does Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope’s 2025 recruiting class stack up nationally?

LEXINGTON — After Mark Pope’s hire as Kentucky basketball’s newest coach, one reservation critics had about him was his high school recruiting chops. Or lack thereof. In nine seasons as a college coach, four at Utah Valley and five at BYU, he’d never signed a class ranked higher than 80th nationally. And he’d landed just one high school recruit who checked in with more than three stars: Collin Chandler was a four-star prospect in 2022 who originally signed with BYU. Chandler now is at UK after serving a two-year mission.

After more than eight months on the job in Lexington, Pope has resoundingly answered any questions about his high school recruiting prowess: He has Kentucky in the mix to sign one of the nation’s top 2025 classes — and possibly beat his predecessor, John Calipari, for the No. 1 haul in the SEC.

The Wildcats already beat the Tar Heels to land Johnson’s signature. Can Kentucky deny North Carolina a second five-star talent in 2025?

If Wilson doesn’t choose UK, the other 2025 prospect it’s still in the running with is Nate Ament. Like Wilson, he’s a five-star power forward. Unlike Wilson, the Wildcats don’t appear to be in the pole position with Ament. Even so, earlier this month Ament told ESPN basketball recruiting director Paul Biancardi that Kentucky will receive a visit. At some point. Ament didn’t detail exactly when the visit will be. But Pope and his staff receiving a visit gives the Wildcats a fighting chance, if nothing else.

Ament plans to make his decision after his final visit, which will coincide with Kansas State’s home game versus Arizona on Feb. 11.

Of note: If either Wilson or Ament chooses Kentucky — or another SEC school — they would leapfrog Thomas as the highest-rated incoming signee in the conference. Ament is No. 4 nationally in the 247Sports Composite rankings, one spot ahead of Wilson.