2020 Wildcats shift in ESPN’s new rankings

The Kentucky Wildcats’ 2020 recruiting class currently consists of six very talented prospects that have all signed to play for John Calipari next season. It’s already the #1 recruiting class in the country with more pieces to potentially be added before it’s all said and done.

ESPN released their updated ESPN 100 rankings earlier today and UK’s signees, plus a few of Kentucky’s uncommitted targets, received their new rankings.

Brandon ‘BJ’ Boston Jr. was the big winner of the new ESPN 100 with a jump from #12 all the way up to #6. Boston is slowly becoming a social media star as his highlights playing for high school powerhouse Sierra Canyon alongside the son’s of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are flooding the internet. At 19.7 ppg., Boston has proven to be an elite scorer from all over the floor who is more than deserving of a Top-10 spot in his class.

Terrence Clarke, who reclassified to the 2020 class, also landed in the Top-10 at #8, which is two spots lower than where he was originally placed after reclassifying. Clarke is an explosive athlete with a skill set that’s continuing to improve and impress. Although he may be coming to college a year early next season, Clarke may be the best NBA prospect on Kentucky’s roster next year.

Devin Askew dropped just one spot to #25, but it’s still impressive for a player who originally would be playing in high school next season prior to his reclassification. With averages of 15.3 points and 7.5 assists for Mater Dei High School, Calipari has another great floor general coming in to add to next season’s rotation.

Of Kentucky’s pair of power forwards, one dropped down while one jumped up. Isaiah Jackson dropped three spots to #30 while Lance Ware, a prospect who continues make impressive strides, went up five spots to #40. Cam’Ron Fletcher, an extreme athlete averaging 18.4 ppg., rounds out the class after dropping eleven spots to #58.

Both of Kentucky’s uncommitted targets with scholarships offers didn't move from their previous spots. Greg Brown remained at #9 and Cliff Omoruyi stayed put at #49.

JT Thor, a prospect with Kentucky in his final list of schools even without an official offer, sits at #45. Kai Sotto, who took an unofficial visit to Kentucky on December 9th, is slotted at #68.

Former Kentucky target Jalen Green took over the #1 spot in the class. Cade Cunningham now sits at #3, Scottie Barnes jumped to #4, Josh Christopher rounds out the Top-10, and Isaiah Todd landed at #13. All were seen as top priorities for Kentucky at some point during their recruitments before they all made their decisions to go in different directions.

With two players now in the top-10, and potentially a third with Greg Brown, and six in the Top-60, it’s not hard to see why Kentucky’s 2020 class sits at #1. With options still out there to make it even better, this group can be special as multiple players signed or still linked to Kentucky are high-valued professional prospects. When you add it to whoever may decide to stick around from this season, it’s hard to not get excited for the 2020-2021 Wildcats.

For the entire updated ESPN 100 rankings, click here.