In a bold and strategic move that signals a shift toward a more global recruiting approach, the University of Kentucky men’s basketball program has set its sights on a towering talent from overseas: a 7-foot-3 center from Italy who has quickly become one of Europe’s most intriguing young prospects.
Sources close to the program confirm that Kentucky’s coaching staff has been actively recruiting the Italian big man, whose combination of size, skill, and court vision has drawn comparisons to NBA stars like Kristaps Porziņģis and Victor Wembanyama. The 17-year-old prodigy has already made waves in FIBA competitions and European leagues, showcasing a rare blend of rim protection, soft shooting touch, and basketball IQ.
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope, long known for his ability to attract top-tier domestic talent, appears to be expanding the program’s horizons as the competition for elite big men intensifies. “We’re looking for players who can impact the game on both ends of the floor — regardless of where they come from,” Mark Pope reportedly said in a recent interview. “If he fits the Kentucky mold, we’ll go to the ends of the earth to get him.”
The recruitment of the Italian center is seen by analysts as a signal that the Wildcats are looking to reassert their dominance on the national stage, particularly as other programs ramp up their international efforts. The player, whose name is being withheld due to NCAA regulations, is expected to visit campus later this summer.
If Kentucky can secure his commitment, it would mark one of the tallest signees in program history and a significant addition to an already promising future roster. With NIL opportunities and global exposure offered by a blue-blood program like Kentucky, the Wildcats are positioning themselves as a true global basketball destination.
More details are expected to emerge as the recruitment progresses.
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