July 13, 2025

Kentucky Coaches Scout Top High School Prospects in Rock Hill

News Summary

The July recruiting live period has begun, with Kentucky’s basketball coaching staff evaluating talent in South Carolina, notably at the Palmetto Road Championship. Standout prospects from the 2026 class, including Anthony Thompson and Caleb Holt, are showcasing their skills. The coaching staff is also keeping a close eye on emerging 2027 talents. Anthony Thompson’s impressive performance further solidifies his reputation as a top player, while the staff continues to assess potential commitments for the future.

Rock Hill, SC – The July recruiting live period has commenced, allowing college basketball coaches across the nation to observe high school talent in person. Kentucky’s basketball coaching staff is actively scouting at several notable events in South Carolina, including the Adidas 3SSB Championships and Nike EYBL Session IV. Among these, the Palmetto Road Championship in Rock Hill stands out as a critical focal point for the Wildcats, with many of their top prospects from the class of 2026 showcasing their skills.

At the Palmetto Road Championship, several promising players from the 2026 recruiting class are participating. These include:

Anthony Thompson, ranked 11th overall
Caleb Holt, ranked 5th overall
Tay Kinney, ranked 14th overall
Deron Rippey Jr., ranked 17th overall
Billy White, ranked 53rd overall
Arafan Diane, ranked 73rd overall

In addition to the 2026 prospects, the event also showcases emerging talent from the 2027 class, including players such as Bruce Branch, Martay Barnes, and Nassir Anderson. The Kentucky coaching staff has expressed interest in building relationships with these young athletes while keeping an eye on their development and performance in real-time competition.

The highlight of the Palmetto Road Championship thus far has been Anthony Thompson’s impressive performance, where he scored a remarkable 35 points on Thursday. This performance reinforces his standing as one of the top ranked players in his class. Moreover, Kentucky has reached out to another standout prospect, forward Cam Williams, who is currently considered a top 20 player for 2026. Observations of Williams during the event have led to continued discussions regarding his recruitment, although he does not have a scheduled visit to Kentucky at this time.

Meanwhile, the Nike EYBL Session IV is ongoing in North Augusta, SC, serving as a precursor to the highly-anticipated Peach Jam event beginning on Sunday. Several athletes desired by Kentucky are also participating in the Peach Jam, including:

Tyran Stokes, the number one overall prospect in 2026, who scored 31 points on Thursday
Brandon McCoy, ranked second overall
Christian Collins, ranked fourth overall

Additionally, the event features promising 2027 prospects such as Baba Oladotun, who holds the first overall rank, followed by Obinna Ekezie Jr. and Ryan Hampton, ranked seventh and second respectively.

As the week progresses, the Kentucky coaching staff, under Coach Mark Pope, is diligently tracking the performance of current targets and evaluating potential new prospects. Achieving Kentucky’s first commitment from the 2026 class remains a key objective, with numerous high-caliber players under consideration. The staff is emphasizing the importance of firsthand observations and establishing strong relationships with young players during these events throughout July.

Cam Williams, a 6-foot-11 forward from Arizona, is under close monitoring as his recruitment unfolds. While he has scheduled official visits to other schools such as Purdue, Texas, Duke, and Arizona, his status with Kentucky remains open as no firm visit has been arranged yet. As events continue, the Wildcats aim to make critical evaluations and decisions that will shape their future roster.

With the July recruiting live period in full swing, Kentucky’s coaching staff remains committed to uncovering and nurturing the next generation of basketball talent, all while keeping an eye on their ongoing recruitment efforts as they build towards a competitive future.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL

The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.

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