The 2026 recruiting class is beginning to take shape, and Kentucky is aiming to make waves with a key visit in September.
Four-star forward Cole Cloer, a 6-foot-7 scorer from IMG Academy, is scheduled for an official visit to Lexington on Sept. 17–18.
Cloer, the No. 29 player in the 247Sports Composite rankings, used to play at Caldwell Academy in North Carolina before moving to IMG. His recruitment has gone national, with visits lined up for UConn, Florida, UNC, NC State, Arkansas, and Alabama. It’s a loaded list of top basketball programs.
Kentucky’s message? Be a central piece in a modern system that highlights wings who can shoot, drive, and defend.
On3’s senior analyst Jamie Shaw called Cloer a “solid straight-line athlete with a developing wing handle,” noting his ability to shoot off the dribble. While not an elite lateral mover, Cloer brings bounce in transition and attacks closeouts well when defenders overplay.
He also has a clean shooting motion, though balance problems have led to streaky results from deep. Those are things Mark Pope believes he can refine.
Cloer’s size, instincts, and tools are all promising. His brother played football at Cornell, and academics are expected to factor into his college decision.
UNC currently holds the edge, largely due to Cloer’s North Carolina roots, but Kentucky is working to close the gap. Mark Pope and his staff value wings who thrive in their up-tempo, spaced-out offense, and Cloer fits that style.
He’s not fully developed yet, and that’s what intrigues Kentucky coaches. They see him as a multi-year piece who could grow into a major SEC weapon.
With the September visit locked in, the Wildcats need to make a strong impression. If all goes well, they just might pull him away from UNC’s backyard.
