Kentucky head coach Mark Pope is targeting 4-star SG Chase Lumpkin, with a visit happening soon.
Mark Pope and his staff have spent the week evaluating top talent at the Memphis Nike EYBL session, one of the most important live recruiting periods of the offseason. As Kentucky continues building momentum in the 2026 and 2027 classes, the Wildcats are now beginning to lock in visits with several priority targets.
Among the latest names connected to Kentucky is 2027 guard Chase Lumpkin, one of the fastest-rising prospects in the country. The Georgia native recently confirmed that he is planning a visit to Lexington as the Wildcats continue pushing hard in his recruitment.
Kentucky’s coaching staff has made Lumpkin a clear priority early in the process. Assistant coach Mo Williams visited him during the spring evaluation period, and the Wildcats have stayed heavily involved since extending an offer. Lumpkin has already spoken highly about Kentucky’s fan base, player development, and the energy surrounding the program under Pope.
The Wildcats have also remained extremely active throughout the EYBL circuit, with Pope, Cody Fueger, and Williams frequently spotted watching elite prospects across multiple age groups. Kentucky is expected to continue scheduling visits throughout the summer as the staff works to build relationships with top recruits before the fall recruiting season begins.
Pope’s first full offseason in Lexington has featured an aggressive recruiting approach, with the Wildcats targeting versatile perimeter scorers, skilled forwards, and high-upside playmakers capable of fitting the program’s modern offensive style. The early traction with players like Lumpkin suggests Kentucky is positioning itself well for future recruiting classes.
According to Jacob Polacheck of KSR, class of 2027 4-star shooting guard Chase Lumpkin is planning to visit Kentucky in the near future as his recruitment continues to take off nationally.
Lumpkin, a 6-foot-4, 170-pound guard from Powder Springs, Georgia, has quickly become one of the hottest names in the 2027 recruiting class following a strong recent stretch of play on the EYBL circuit. He currently holds nearly 20 scholarship offers, including Kentucky, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Indiana, Louisville, and several others, with more programs expected to enter the mix soon.
Kentucky officially offered Lumpkin in late April after new assistant coach Mo Williams visited his school. However, the Wildcats had already been building a relationship with the talented guard since last summer. Lumpkin also made two visits to Lexington during the 2025-26 season.
They showed a lot of belief in me,” Lumpkin tells Polacheck of KSR. “They watched me last session and, of course, were here today. It’s just showing that I can come in and make an impact as a freshman. Hopefully, I can do that one day.”
Lumpkin added that his recruitment is still wide open despite the growing attention from major programs, emphasizing that several schools remain firmly in the mix as his stock continues to soar nationally.
The 2027 four-star shooting guard has become one of the breakout prospects on the Nike EYBL circuit this spring, drawing increased interest from power conference programs across the country. As more coaches evaluate him during the live recruiting periods, his list of suitors is expected to keep expanding throughout the summer.
While Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball has positioned itself as one of the early programs heavily involved in his recruitment, Lumpkin made it clear that no final decisions are close and other schools still have opportunities to strengthen their standing with him.
The Wildcats have already built a solid foundation through consistent communication and evaluations from Mark Pope and assistant coach Mo Williams. Kentucky’s player development vision, fan support, and overall atmosphere have reportedly stood out to Lumpkin early in the process, helping the program remain firmly on his radar heading into future visits.
As his recruitment gains momentum nationally, Lumpkin is expected to become one of the more closely watched guards in the 2027 class. More schools are likely to enter the picture before his recruitment begins narrowing down, setting up what could become one of the most competitive recruitments in the cycle.
