One of the main questions the Big Blue Nation had when Kentucky hired former National Champion Mark Pope was whether he could recruit at the high level Kentucky fans have come to expect, a standard set by former head coach John Calipari, who is now at Arkansas.
While it’s too early to make definitive judgments about Coach Pope’s recruiting prowess, one thing is clear: he’s putting in the effort. Pope could make a monumental splash by landing the top player in the 2025 class, AJ Dybantsa. Standing at 6’9″, Dybantsa is a versatile wing who can score at all three levels, has an excellent basketball IQ, and is an elite defender. Kentucky’s interest in AJ dates back to Calipari’s tenure, but Pope has re-offered the phenom and is actively building a relationship with him.
Dybantsa recently discussed his final schools with On3’s Joe Tipton and shared his thoughts about Coach Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats. “I talked to Mark (Pope),” Dybantsa told On3. “I went on a Zoom with him, but I got the offer on a call. Went on a Zoom with him, Jason Hart, and they were just talking about what they have in store and hopefully get me on a visit. He was in Istanbul, Turkey (to see me with USA Basketball).” Kentucky faces stiff competition for the 5-star talent from schools including Auburn, Arkansas, BYU, Alabama, Baylor, Duke, UConn, Georgia Tech, and USC. Landing Dybantsa would be a significant victory in Pope’s first recruiting class.
AJ plans to use the fall to take his visits and then make his decision. This timeline is favorable for Coach Pope, considering he got a late start in recruiting the 2025 class. If Pope can secure a commitment from Dybantsa, it would send a strong message about his ability to uphold Kentucky’s recruiting tradition.