As the basketball circuits continue this summer, fans will figure out who Mark Pope and staff are recruiting for the class of 2026.
The Kentucky basketball staff continues to lay the groundwork for its 2026 recruiting class, with 5-star guards Jordan Smith Jr. and Tay Kinney among their top targets.
Smith, a dynamic scorer and elite perimeter defender, was planning to wait until next spring to commit, due to the uncertainty created by the transfer portal.
However, he recently told Joe Tipton of On3 and Rivals his timeline is now “up in the air.” That news opens the door for Mark Pope and the Wildcats to stay aggressive in their pursuit.
Smith doesn’t have any official visits set yet, according to Tipton, but Kentucky is one of the seven schools he hopes to visit, along with Arkansas, Duke, Louisville, Syracuse, Indiana, and Georgetown.
While Tipton believes Arkansas and Duke are early favorites, Pope’s fast-paced, NBA-style offense and Kentucky’s tradition of sending guards to the league continue to resonate with top talent.
Meanwhile, Pope and his staff are also keeping a close eye on Kinney, a top-15 point guard who’s drawing serious attention across the country. Louisville is thought to be in a strong position, and while the Wildcats remain in the mix, another SEC school could be surging ahead.
Kinney recently scheduled an official visit to Arkansas, who is becoming a significant player in this recruitment, according to Tipton.
“I really think Arkansas is shaping up to be a serious contender,” Tipton wrote.
Texas, Oregon, Indiana, and Purdue are also involved.
Both Smith and Kinney would fit seamlessly into Pope’s offensive system, with their versatility and high motors. As Kentucky reshapes its identity under Pope, securing a dynamic backcourt duo in the 2026 class could be pivotal to building a future national title contender.
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