Kentucky Basketball Recruiting: Early National Signing Period Primer and Predictions

The 2015 early signing period begins this week as high school senior prospects around the nation sign their national letters of intent with the schools they are committed to.

November 11th is the first day that prospects can sign a LOI, and November 18th is the final day to do so in the early signing period. For the Kentucky Wildcats, we could see 4-6 signatures by the time the period ends. Here is a look at which players to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Already Committed and Expected to Sign

Wenyen Gabriel 
The most recent player to commit to UK is Wenyen Gabriel, and he'll likely sign with the Cats this week. The 2016 five-star forward out of Wilbraham and Monson Academy (N.H.) is set to sign on Wednesday at 1 pm. The 6-9, 195-pound forward is ranked by 24/7 Sports as the No. 17 prospect in the Class of 2016 and the No. 5 power forward. He's also the No. 17 prospect on Rivals, and ESPN has him at No. 23. He visited Kentucky back in September before ultimately committing in October.

Prediction: Signs with Kentucky

Sacha Killeya-Jones
The Cats will likely be receiving an LOI from 2016 five-star forward Sacha Killeya-Jones this Saturday at the Phenom National High School Showcase in Lewisville, North Carolina. Killeya-Jones, a 6-10 prospect from Chapel Hill (N.C.), is ranked 31st by ESPN, 26th by Rivals and 16th by 24/7 Sports in the 2016 class. He visited Kentucky back in early June before ultimately committing in August.

Prediction: Signs with Kentucky

Tai Wynyard
UK will actually get a 2015 signature soon in the form of New Zealand four-star forward Tai  Wynyard. He has already enrolled for the spring semester and is set to sign in this period. It’s unclear if Wynyard will actually play this upcoming season or he redshirt, but getting to Lexington for the spring semester is big for his development while also giving UK another good practice body. He committed to UK way back in January, and the belief has been for a while now that Wynyard would find his way to Lexington at some point during the 2015-16 college basketball season.

Prediction: Signs with Kentucky, joins team for second semester and redshirts.

Considering Signing Early with Kentucky

De'Aaron Fox
We should hear De'Aaron Fox announce his decision to commit to Kentucky on Thursday, and at some point fax in his LOI thereafter. Regarded by many as the best point guard in the 2016 class, Fox looks destined to be the latest one-and-done floor general under John Calipari. As of now, he's the only UK target that for sure is signing in the coming weeks that isn't committed elsewhere.

Prediction: Commits and signs with Kentucky

Jarrett Allen
One player UK has come on strong for as of late is five-star forward Jarrett Allen. A 6-9, 210-pound big out of St. Stephen's Episcopal (TX), Allen just finished his visit to Kentucky, and he was thought to be someone who may sign with the Cats in the early period. However, Allen's recruitment and ultimate destination is the most uncertain of any player on this page. Ben Robert's latest recruiting update shows why, so don't be surprised at whatever he opts to do.

Prediction: Waits until spring period

Malik Monk
This one could go either way, but it looks like five-star guard Malik Monk is leaning towards a spring decision. There's a good story on him at Scout (if you have premium access) in which he talks about his recent visit to Arkansas, and how he could end up singing in the early or late period. The home-state Arkansas Razorbacks are a strong contender for Monk, but if he decides early, UK is the school with all the momentum.

Prediction: Waits until spring period

Edrice 'Bam' Adebayo
It's not set in stone that Bam Adebayo signs early, but if he does, it probably won't be Kentucky. A 6-9, 232-pound forward out of Northside High School (NC), is ranked as the No. 7-overall prospect on Rivals and No. 6 on ESPN. His 24/7 Crystal Ball has the NC State Wolfpack as the favorites with the North Carolina Tar Heels also getting votes.

Prediction: Signs with NC State

Udoka Azubuike
Another highly-touted big man unlikely to sign with Kentucky if he decides in the early period is Udoka Azubuike. A four-star center by way of The Potter's House Christian Academy (FL), Azubuike is rated by 24/7 Sports as the No. 2 overall center in the 2016 class. Florida State is the favorite here, and they'll likely be the pick if he signs early.

Prediction: Signs with Florida State