The Kentucky Basketball team is still in the process of building its roster and coaching staff ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Apparently, the Wildcats are still pursuing NBA legend Jamal Crawford, per Jack Pilgrim and Jacob Polacheck, as the program still has an opening on the staff following former coach Alvin Brooks’ departure to NC State and Jason Hart leaving for USC.
Mark Pope offered Crawford a job as the Tyran Stokes recruitment was winding down. The Wildcats lost the Stokes sweepstakes, as he ultimately
chose Kansas under Bill Self. The thought of landing Crawford on the staff seemed unlikely once Stokes made a decision. A
However, according to KSR, Crawford still has interest in joining Pope and the Wildcats.
The hesitation with Crawford is the timing of this specific job opening. Crawford would have to move his family across the country, as they currently reside in California. His son, JJ Crawford, the current ranked No. 1 recruit in the class of 2029 for basketball, is entering his peak years of high school basketball, as Crawford would have a tough decision to make for him and his family.
Crawford relayed to KSR that other schools have expressed interest in adding the former NBA All-Star to their staff, but the Kentucky job is the only one he’d consider taking.
If Crawford were to land a spot on Pope’s staff, that would be a huge turnaround, as Pope is coming off a rough second year at the helm. Crawford’s name and legacy alone would have many recruits wanting to come to Lexington, as the program has already added one former NBA standout in Mo Williams.
Something to monitor in the coming weeks.
