Strategic Recruiting Push
Mark Pope, the head coach of the University of Kentucky, is actively building relationships with elite prospects to fortify the program’s future roster.
DJ Okoth, a 6‑10 wing from Tennessee, arrives in the 2028 recruiting class as a five‑star talent ranked No. 17 overall by the 247Sports composite, bringing a 13‑point, 5‑rebound average from his previous season and a reputation for shot‑blocking thanks to his extended wingspan.
Okoth has committed to Kentucky and is set to make an unofficial visit to Lexington on October 2, the first day of Big Blue Madness, a trip confirmed by his mother and eagerly anticipated by the coaching staff.
While Kentucky leads the pursuit, the Southeastern Conference’s landscape is crowded with interest; Texas A&M and Tennessee have already extended offers, and several other SEC programs are monitoring Okoth’s development.
Pope’s early outreach aims to lock in a commitment before the recruiting cycle intensifies, hoping the visit will translate into a binding decision that bolsters Kentucky’s class for the 2028 season.