Kentucky basketball is preparing to host one of the most sought-after shooters in the country. Cole Cloer, the No. 25 overall recruit in the class of 2026, has scheduled an official visit to Lexington for Sept. 17–18.
The 6-foot-7, 190-pound small forward out of Bradenton, Florida, has quickly built a reputation as the best shooter in this year’s class. Coaches and scouts have praised his smooth release, deep range, and ability to score efficiently at all three levels. He’s currently ranked 25th in the class of 2026
by 247 Sports.
For a Kentucky program that prides itself on reloading with elite talent, Cloer’s skill set fits the mold of a player who could thrive in Mark Pope’s system. Pope has emphasized wanting to attempt 30 3-pointers per game, which was a mark the Wildcats fell short of in the 2024–25 season, but that could change this upcoming year with the new talent.
Cloer has laid out a busy fall schedule with visits to NC State (Aug. 29–31), Florida (Sept. 5–7), Kentucky (Sept. 17–18), North Carolina (Oct. 10–12), and Alabama (Oct. 17–19). His recruitment initially featured eight finalists which included Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Louisville, UNC, NC State, UConn, and Virginia, but the landscape has shifted as programs zero in on his shooting ability.
With Kentucky’s fan base eager for a top-tier shooter to headline its 2026 class, Cloer’s upcoming trip to Lexington could prove pivotal in his decision-making process.
