Kentucky Basketball Recruiting: Wildcats predicted to land several elite 2018 recruits

Kentucky seems to be a favorite for multiple top-10 players in the 2018 recruiting class, according to Rivals’ way too early predictions for the top uncommitted players.

The Wildcats are in the mix for the nation’s No. 1 player, Marvin Bagley III. Rivals has it as a split between Arizona and Kentucky, with one expert picking the Cats.

Bagley recently released a top six and he was a visitor to UCLA during the winter. It's important to remember that he's a native of Arizona but he doesn't appear to be too close to a decision.

Rivals also says it’s a pretty good chance UK will land Zion Williamson, who they rank the No. 2 player in his class, but is probably the most well-known recruit. Three experts picked Williamson to go to Kentucky, but Williamson has already told us it’ll be quite some time before he’s made a decision.

One of the most popular high school athletes in years, there will be immense pressure on Williamson to turn down the bluebloods and stay home. South Carolina is coming off of a Final Four and Williamson's stepfather played at Clemson.

Moses Brown, five-star center and the No. 6 player in his class, is also picked to go to Kentucky. Brown is a seven-footer who just recently received a visit from Cal. Three experts are predicting Kentucky for Brown.

Brown emerged during his junior year as a big-time player. He has skill, athleticism and protects the rim. Maryland has been thought to be in good standing and he's seen some of the local programs.

Lastly, Rivals also predicts that Kentucky will get Javonte Smart, the five-star point guard out of Louisiana.

Smart hasn't said a lot about his recruitment. However, expect new LSU coach Will Wade to make him a priority and there's been some talk of late that Smart prefers Kentucky early.

Sounds like it might be a good old-fashioned SEC recruiting battle.

The bad news is Rivals currently predicts either Indiana or Louisville to get Romeo Langford, who has been one of Kentucky’s top targets in this class. They also predict Cameron Reddish, another Kentucky target, to eventually pick Duke.

Obviously these are way too early predictions, but it’s clear that Kentucky is in pretty good standing with the best players in the 2018 class, and that’s a good sign.

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