Kentucky Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing 2020 targets for the Wildcats

Isaiah Todd – Trinity Academy (NC)

PF | 6-foot-10 | 195 lbs | No. 14 overall

EYBL Stats: 17.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.6 bpg

Ranked as the No. 2 power forward in the class, Isaiah Todd is one of the most heavily-targeted players nationally. He has received offers from just about every “blueblood” school and there are mixed predictions on where he eventually lands. Of the 12 crystal ball predictions currently available, Kentucky holds six of them while three other schools also own a pick. It seems as though the Wildcats are among the favorites, though.

As a player, Todd is a face-up forward with plenty of skill. He brings plenty of size and length to the table while proving to be a matchup nightmare when on the perimeter. In addition to stretching the floor out to 3-point range, he can attack closeouts and finish around the basket with consistency. Despite measuring in at 6-foot-10, though, Todd only weighs 195 pounds. He will need to add some muscle mass before taking the next step with his game.

Cliff Omoruyi – Roselle Catholic (NJ)

C | 6-foot-11 | 230 lbs | No. 51 overall

EYBL Stats: 11.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.5 bpg

“That was one of my dream schools. When I was back in Nigeria, I used to hear the most about Kentucky.” That’s what Cliff Omoruyi had to say when asked a the NBPA Top 100 camp about his offer from Kentucky (247 Sports). As a result, it is reasonable to say that the ‘Cats will be among the favorites for this fringe top-50 center. A solid performer on the EYBL circuit, there will plenty of interest over the coming months, especially when you consider he already has offers from Arizona, Auburn, and Florida (among others), in addition to UK.

Although Omoruyi is still relatively new to basketball, it is clear that he is talented and has the potential to be great with the right development. At 6-foot-11 (with a reported 7-foot-6 wingspan), he brings plenty of size to the center position and is only continuing to improve. He is a major threat around the rim at both ends of the floor right now; he skies above the hoop easily as a finisher and shows solid instincts as a shot-blocker as well.

N’Faly Dante – Sunrise Christian (KS)

C | 6-foot-11 | 230 lbs | No. 12 overall

EYBL Stats: 15.8 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.1 bpg

Arguably the top performer at his position on the EYBL circuit, N’Faly Dante has been tremendous over the past few months. He clearly took his game to the next level during the grassroots season and that culminated with a 20-point, 18-rebound performance in the championship game at Peach Jam. His team won the whole event. Dante has clearly been posting eye-opening performances in the paint and on the glass while showing exactly why he is rated as one of the best bigs in the class.

With that said, there are three major suitors that seem to be the favorites in this recruitment. Kentucky, LSU, and Oregon are all vying for his commitment right now, and there have been some rumblings about a possible reclassification as well. After missing on transfer Kerry Blackshear Jr. (now at Florida), the Wildcats could add Dante as another big for this coming season. UK would gladly add him as a 2019 or 2020 prospect, though.