So, here’s where we’re at — one of the top 25 players in the entire 2026 class, a legit seven-footer named Ethan Taylor out of Link Academy in Missouri, just dropped his final six schools, and yep… Kentucky made the cut. That’s not exactly shocking if you’ve been paying attention to the way Mark Pope and his staff have been operating since he took over, but it’s still a big deal when the No. 1 center in the class says, “Yeah, Kentucky’s one of the ones I’m seriously looking at.”
The list, for the record, is: Kentucky, Kansas, Indiana, Michigan State, Oregon, and Oklahoma. Every single one of those schools has some kind of pull — Kansas with Bill Self’s big-man track record, Indiana being the Midwest blue blood, Izzo’s Michigan State program known for toughness and development, Nike-backed Oregon with flashy facilities, and Oklahoma being a bit of a dark horse but on the rise. But Kentucky being in there means Pope is swinging for the fences.
Let’s talk about the player himself before we get too deep into recruiting politics. Taylor’s not just “tall and promising” — he’s got actual polish for a high school junior. Seven feet, about 240 pounds, broad shoulders, long arms, and moves like a guy who’s been taught proper footwork early. He’s got a real post game — drop steps, counters, jump hooks with either hand. But he’s also not a dinosaur stuck in the paint. He can catch the ball at the elbow, face up, and make a decision — whether that’s attacking, shooting, or finding a cutter.
Defensively, he’s not the type who just chases blocks for the mixtape crowd. He plays with discipline. He rotates early, keeps verticality, and when he does go for a block, it’s timed. That’s rare in high school where size alone lets you swat kids left and right without good habits. In other words — he’s already showing things that translate to the college level and beyond.
And for Kentucky fans? He’s got a Bam Adebayo vibe in terms of passing awareness and a little Anthony Davis-like discipline on defense — obviously not saying he is those guys, but the tools are there.
If you’re a 7-foot, No. 1-ranked center in the country, why would you even consider Kentucky right now? Easy:
- The Legacy of Kentucky Bigs — AD, Towns, Cousins, Bam, Oscar… even Nick Richards went from raw project to NBA rotation guy. Kentucky has receipts when it comes to developing frontcourt talent.
- The Platform — National TV games, the SEC spotlight, and a guaranteed shot at March Madness. You’re on NBA radars the day you commit.
- Mark Pope’s Pitch — Pope’s not Cal, but he’s already showing he knows how to use skilled bigs in a modern offense — spacing, high-low action, short roll passing. Taylor wouldn’t be a stationary screen-setter; he’d be a feature.
- Big Blue Madness — Taylor’s official visit is scheduled for October 10–12, right in the middle of the Madness weekend. If you’ve never seen that event, it’s basically a fan recruiting weapon. The energy in Rupp, the light show, the history — it gets guys hooked.
Kansas will be the toughest head-to-head battle — Bill Self’s track record with bigs (Joel Embiid, Udoka Azubuike, Hunter Dickinson) is ridiculous. Indiana’s got the “local-ish” pull if he wants to stay closer to Missouri and be in the Big Ten. Michigan State has Tom Izzo, and you can’t dismiss how many guys he’s developed. Oregon will push the Nike branding angle hard — flashy uniforms, modern arena, and that “Pacific Northwest cool factor.” Oklahoma is probably the least likely, but don’t underestimate a coach who can sell him on being the guy from day one.
Taylor’s not the only big man Pope is chasing hard in 2026. This is shaping up to be one of the most loaded frontcourt recruiting boards Kentucky’s had in a while. Here’s the list:
- Tyran Stokes — No. 1 overall player, freak athlete at the 4, Kentucky seen as the leader right now. If UK somehow lands both him and Taylor, you’re talking about a potentially dominant frontcourt from day one.
- Anthony Thompson — Depending on which site you look at, he’s top 5 to top 14 nationally. A face-up four who can run the floor, hit jumpers, and defend multiple spots. Kentucky’s getting his final visit on September 24, which is always a good sign.
- Arafan Diane — Another top-25, No. 1-ranked center on some lists. Bigger, stronger, more old-school than Taylor — think pure paint enforcer. Kentucky’s in his top 12.
The point is, Pope isn’t just banking on one guy saying yes. He’s building a situation where Kentucky’s going to come out of this cycle with at least one (and possibly two) top-tier bigs, no matter how the chips fall.
Pope’s first couple of years are about proving he can recruit at a national-title level. You land Ethan Taylor and a Tyran Stokes type, you’ve immediately changed the national conversation. You also give yourself lineup flexibility — you can go big and dominate the glass, or you can slide a skilled four next to a rim protector and run.
NIL is obviously a factor now, too. Kentucky’s collective might not be throwing quite the same raw numbers around as some other schools, but what they offer in brand power and exposure can actually equal out to more long-term earnings. A guy like Taylor could come in, start, get a year of massive SEC/ESPN coverage, and walk into the NBA as a lottery pick.
Here’s the timeline to watch:
- Sept. 24 — Anthony Thompson visits Kentucky (final visit before his likely decision).
- Oct. 10–12 — Ethan Taylor’s Big Blue Madness visit. If the staff nails this weekend, momentum could swing hard in UK’s favor.
- Ongoing — Pope and crew working the Stokes/Diane fronts.
- By November — We’ll have a much clearer picture of whether Kentucky’s going to pull in one, two, or three of these elite frontcourt players.
If you’re a Kentucky fan, you should be excited. This is the most aggressive big-man recruiting push since the early Cal days. And it’s not just names — it’s names that fit the modern game and Pope’s style.
