With the announcement of three 5-star signings—including top-ranked point guard Tre Johnson and elite center Flory Bidunga—Coach John Calipari has officially secured the No. 1 recruiting class for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2025. The news sends a powerful message to the rest of college basketball: Big Blue Nation is back, and they’re coming for the crown.
“Winning starts with great talent and great character,” Calipari said in a press release. “This group has both. I couldn’t be more excited.”
The class also includes sharpshooting wing Karter Knox, giving Kentucky arguably the most dynamic incoming trio in the nation. After a disappointing Sweet 16 exit last year, fans and analysts alike are calling this the Wildcats’ most promising lineup in years.
NBA scouts are already penciling in Johnson and Bidunga as likely top-10 picks. “They’re as college-ready as it gets,” said ESPN’s Paul Biancardi.
With leadership returning from veterans like Reed Sheppard, Kentucky will boast both talent and experience. Calipari, often criticized in recent seasons, seems determined to silence doubters and bring another championship to Lexington. The pressure is on—but so is the fire.
Expect Kentucky to enter the 2025–26 season ranked in the top 3 nationally.
