Big news is brewing in Lexington this weekend: five-star shooting guard Caleb Holt is officially set to take his visit to Kentucky
Holt, one of the premier names in the class of 2026, originally had his trip penciled in for September 5–7. That scheduling was first reported back in July and had Wildcat fans eagerly circling the date. But just a couple of weeks later, whispers surfaced that Holt had pushed his visit back a full week to September 12–14. That created some confusion about when Big Blue Nation would actually get its shot to host one of the nation’s most sought-after recruits.
Now, the dust has settled. Holt’s father confirmed to Jacob Polacheck of KSR+ that the original plan is back on—Caleb Holt will indeed be in Lexington this coming weekend.
Why This Visit Matters
For head coach Mark Pope, this is an absolutely critical moment. Holt is not just another recruit. At 6-foot-5 with elite scoring ability, he’s ranked the No. 4 overall prospect in the 2026 class. He’s the kind of player who can change the trajectory of a program the moment he commits.
Kentucky won’t be his first stop, though. Holt just wrapped up an official visit to Arkansas, where he got the full recruiting pitch from John Calipari, who has quickly been reloading the Razorbacks with top-tier talent. Pope and his staff will need to roll out the red carpet to show Holt what makes Kentucky different.
And luckily, the timing couldn’t be better. On Saturday, the Wildcats’ football team hosts Ole Miss at Kroger Field, creating the perfect electric atmosphere to impress a high-profile recruit. Nothing sells the Big Blue experience like 60,000 fans roaring in unison on game day.
Not Coming Alone
Holt also won’t be the only elite prospect on campus. Four-star small forward Maximo Adams will be in town for his own official visit. That means Kentucky’s facilities, staff, and players will have the opportunity to showcase not just to one, but two high-level recruits in the same weekend. With Pope still looking for his first commitment in the 2026 class, this stretch could prove to be pivotal.
Holt’s Relationship with Pope
One factor working in Kentucky’s favor? Holt already has a connection with Pope. The two worked together during USA Basketball training camp, where Pope served as one of the on-court coaches. Holt recalled that experience fondly, telling KSR back in July:
“Coach Pope, he was my on-court coach at USA (training camp). I got to play for him, and it was actually fun, he let me rock out. He was like, that’s how it’s gonna be at Kentucky. Kentucky is definitely in the mix, high up. I mess with Mark Pope and everything.”
That trust and comfort level could be a major factor as Holt weighs his decision.
The Competition
Of course, Kentucky isn’t recruiting Holt in a vacuum. His home-state schools, Alabama and Auburn, are both determined to keep him within state lines and will host him for official visits later this fall. Houston and Ole Miss are also considered serious contenders, and Arkansas—fresh off hosting him—remains firmly in the mix.
Still, Kentucky has positioned itself as a frontrunner heading into this weekend. For Pope and his staff, the mission is simple: knock this visit out of the park and leave Holt with the kind of impression that lingers long after he leaves Lexington.
The Bigger Picture
Landing Holt would do more than just secure one of the best players in the 2026 cycle. It would also send a powerful message across college basketball: Kentucky under Mark Pope is not just reloading—it’s reestablishing itself as the ultimate destination for the nation’s brightest stars.
With the spotlight squarely on Holt’s official visit, all eyes will be on Lexington this weekend. The question now is—can Pope close the gap and convince one of the sport’s biggest names that Kentucky is the place to call home?
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