Where UK targets stand in new ESPN and Rivals 2019 recruit rankings

The Kentucky Wildcats are moving on up in the new 2019 recruiting rankings from ESPN and Rivals.

Tyrese Maxey, who has been on a tear this year, is now up to the No. 7 spot in the new Rivals and ESPN rankings, where he’s also the No. 1 shooting guard. There’s still debate as to what position he’ll play in college, but there’s no question he’s a tremendous player that’s going to have a special year in Lexington.

The new ESPN rankings have DJ Jeffries checking in at No. 19 overall, the highest ranking he has in any service. Rivals has him at No. 53. Considering he was one of the first players to commit in the 2019 class, I imagine John Calipari views him more as a top-20 player than one who’s not even in the top 50 at Rivals.

UK’s top target, James Wiseman, is No. 1 overall at ESPN and No 2 at Rivals. Fellow UK target Vernon Carey is No. 2 at ESPN and No. 1 at Rivals. UK is making a strong push to land both of them in 2019, but it’s going to be a major challenge just to get one of them.

Cole Anthony is now ranked No. 3 in both services. While UK already has Maxey, they’ve still kept recruiting Anthony, who is also getting recruited by Maxey, which is a nice plus. However, UK has yet to offer Anthony.

Matthew Hurt is now No. 6 at ESPN and No. 5 at Rivals. UK has offered and is still pursuing him, but Kansas appears to have a comfortable lead in this race.

UK targets Bryan Antoine and Scottie Lewis come in at No. 9 and 10 respectively at ESPN. Rivals has Antoine at No. 8 and Lewis at No. 11.

Jalen Lecque is No. 11 at ESPN and No. 9 at Rivals. He’s a strong UK target and, as of now, one of the more likelier players to pick the Cats in this class, though that could change if UK offers Anthony.

Keion Brooks, another guy UK is in great shape with, is No. 25 at ESPN, his lowest ranking. He’s No. 19 at Rivals.

Check out the new ESPN rankings here, and then check out the new Rivals rankings.

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