The Kentucky Wildcats are gearing up to welcome a highly touted recruiting class next season, which is expected to be one of the best in the nation. With five talented players joining the Wildcats in Lexington, the team’s future looks bright. The headliners of this class are Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner, both of whom are ranked as the second and third-best prospects in the nation by 247 Sports. Edwards recently showed off his skills at a game against Tennessee.
Joining them are Aaron Bradshaw, a towering 7-foot center who is ranked fourth in the nation, and Robert Dillingham, who is ranked ninth. Reed Sheppard is the only four-star recruit in the class, but he still holds a strong national ranking at number 30. With talent loaded in each of the five positions, this class is poised to be a powerhouse.
ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony even released a 2024 NBA mock draft featuring four of the five future Wildcats. Edwards is projected to go fourth overall to the Houston Rockets, while Wagner is expected to be selected seventh by the Washington Wizards. Bradshaw and Dillingham come in at numbers 28 and 30 respectively, with the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics taking them off the board. Current Wildcats player Ugonna Onyenso, who has limited playing time but tremendous upside, is also projected to be a second-round pick, going 40th overall to the Orlando Magic.
While it’s not surprising that the one-and-done prospects are expected to be first-round picks, there are still some questions about how Dillingham will fare in his freshman season at Kentucky. Another player to watch is Chris Livingston, who could be a standout in the 2024 draft class if he continues to improve at the same rate and returns for a second year.
Coach John Calipari is thrilled about the incoming class and anticipates their arrival in Lexington. With four of the five recruits named McDonald’s All-Americans, expectations are sky-high for the Kentucky Wildcats. The team is sure to make a splash in the coming years.
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