LIVE BLOG: Mark Pope, Kentucky Staff Lock in on Future Stars at Peach Jam
North Augusta, SC — Recruiting never sleeps, and neither does Mark Pope.
The Kentucky head coach and his staff are making waves at Peach Jam 2025, one of the premier events on the summer recruiting calendar. With Nike’s EYBL finale underway at Riverview Park Activities Center, Pope and his assistants have boots on the ground and even in the air chasing down top prospects coast to coast in the final live period of the summer.
Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) is tracking every move, every courtside sit, and every key interaction. Here’s everything that’s gone down so far as Kentucky aims to secure its future.
All Eyes on Tyran Stokes
Few players have commanded more attention this week than Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 player in the class of 2026 and a Louisville native. Pope and his staff are making sure they don’t miss a single minute of his games, showing up in full force to track the elite forward’s every move with the Oakland Soldiers.
Even when Pope himself wasn’t in the building Friday, assistants Jason Hart and Alvin Brooks III made sure Kentucky stayed three-deep in the stands — a clear message that Stokes is priority No. 1.
KSR+ even caught up with his mother, Keiara Stokes, who opened up about Tyran’s official visits to both Kentucky and Louisville, giving fans insight into where things stand and what’s next on the visit trail.
Where’s Pope? LA Calling
While most of the staff remained in North Augusta, Mark Pope took a detour west to attend the adidas 3SSB event in Los Angeles. He was spotted evaluating four-star big man Arafan Diane and forward Cam Williams, both of whom recently received offers from Kentucky.
Other names drawing attention at 3SSB include Tay Kinney, Deron Rippey Jr., and Caleb Holt all of whom are rising stars with serious SEC potential.
Pope’s willingness to divide his time shows just how aggressive and expansive Kentucky’s recruiting approach has become.
The Assistant Shuffle
Back at Peach Jam, the assistants aren’t slowing down.
- Jason Hart started Friday morning courtside for a matchup between Vegas Elite and Team Melo, keying in on 2026 wing Anthony Felesi and top-50 prospect Maximo Adams.
- Alvin Brooks III later locked in on 2027 guard Beckham Black, a Rivals top-25 talent already hearing from the Cats since the June contact period opened.
- The staff was also spotted watching 2026 small forward Bryson Howard and 2027 five-star Baba Oladotun, both of whom hold Kentucky offers.
Stars of the Future: Ekezie, Smith, Samuels
Earlier in the week, Pope was among the first in the gym, taking a look at 2027 No. 2 overall prospect Obinna Ekezie, a towering 6’11” big who relocated to Louisville from Nigeria. His frame and upside are already turning heads.
Later in the day, the entire staff shifted focus to Team Takeover’s dynamic duo Jordan Smith and Qayden Samuels, along with Bryson Howard, creating a three-for-one viewing opportunity with top-30 talent on all sides.
Recruiting With Heart (and Humor)
In a lighthearted moment, KSR’s Jack Pilgrim revealed he was kicked out of Peach Jam by Mark Pope — not for a scandal, but to head home for the birth of his second child. A quick detour for family, but the grind continues.
The Takeaway
Whether it’s Los Angeles, Rock Hill, or North Augusta, Mark Pope and Kentucky are everywhere this summer.
They’ve zeroed in on top-tier talent led by Tyran Stokes and continue to work every angle of the recruiting trail, showcasing the relentless energy and strategic planning that has quickly become Pope’s calling card.
As the summer winds down, Kentucky fans should be excited. The names being scouted now could be the backbone of a Final Four run in 2027 or 2028.
For now, though, all eyes are on the gym, and the grind never stops.
Stay locked in with KSR’s Live Blog for continued real-time updates from the heart of Peach Jam.
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