With the class of 2025 athletes beginning to commit to their new collegiate programs, college basketball coaches are already shifting their focus to the classes of 2026 and 2027.
As always, the Kentucky Wildcats are among the most aggressive programs when it comes to recruiting top-tier talent. Head coach Mark Pope continues to work every angle to ensure Lexington remains a prime destination for elite players.
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One of the rising stars catching Pope’s attention is CJ Rosser, the No. 3-ranked recruit in the class of 2027, per 247Sports Composite. Hailing from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Rosser is already turning heads across the country.
On Monday, Rosser announced via Instagram that he received a scholarship offer from Pope and the Wildcats coaching staff.
CJ Rosser, InstagramCJ Rosser, Instagram
The news comes just months after Rosser made headlines with an unofficial visit to Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils in February. Since then, he’s picked up several offers, with the most recent coming from TCU, Maryland, Texas A&M and Georgia Tech.
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Rosser plays high school basketball at Northern Nash High School and also suits up for Team United on the Nike EYBL circuit. In a recent interview with 247Sports, his trainer Darius Spragley praised the young forward’s character and basketball IQ.
“What makes CJ special is his character off the court and how he is molding into a leader,” Spragley told 247Sports. “He’s learning and that’s one of the great things about him. He’s always willing to learn, he’s like a sponge who’s willing to absorb knowledge. For on the court he’s a really good at shooting and posting up in the mid post.”
Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope. © Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Kentucky, meanwhile, has already landed three key recruits for the 2025 class. The headliners are five-star guard Jasper Johnson and standout big man Malachi Moreno. The Wildcats also added Croatian forward Andrija Jelavic.
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Pope has also made an impact in the transfer portal, bringing in Denzel Aberdeen from Florida, Jayden Quaintance from Arizona State and Reece Potter from Maryland.
He’ll enter his second season as head coach at his alma mater after leading Kentucky to a 24-12 record in his debut campaign. The Wildcats reached the Sweet 16 before falling to SEC rival Tennessee. Now, they’re aiming to make their first trip to the Final Four since 2015.
Related: No. 1 College Basketball Recruit’s Father Almost Brought to Tears by Kentucky’s Mark Pope
Related: Five-Star College Basketball Recruit Makes Move on Duke
