Kentucky Basketball: Three biggest targets for John Calipari in the 2025 recruiting class

The Wildcats are in on the very best recruits in the class of 2025, but who are the most important targets?

Things have not been perfect for the Kentucky Wildcats in the John Calipari era, especially lately, but it is hard to deny the success he has had on the recruiting trail since taking over the program in 2009.

Coach Cal's ability to put high-level recruits into the NBA is unmatched, and it has continued to result in the best high school stars wanting to come to Lexington to play at Rupp Arena in the blue and white.

Kentucky's current crop of freshmen contains potentially five first-round NBA draft picks in Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw, Rob Dillingham, and Reed Sheppard - yet another testament to this program's success.

As long as that kind of success continues, so too will the additions of highly regarded high school recruits - and the upcoming 2025 class could be a particularly special one in Lexington.

Calipari and the 'Cats are clearly eyeing the best of the best, with 247Sports listing 10 2025 prospects whom Kentucky has offered a scholarship. Those ten prospects, according to 247Sports' rankings, come in at numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 18, and 31.

While they obviously don't have room for all of them, we take a stab at identifying the three most crucial targets for this program and where the Wildcats are at in the chase.

1. AJ Dybantsa, SF, Prolific Prep

Dybantsa is the consensus No. 1 prospect in the class of 2025, having reclassified earlier this year. Kentucky officially extended an offer to the 6'9 wing on November 21, and coach Calipari visited him on campus a day later.

USC is considered a front-runner at a handful of recruiting outlets currently, but considering how recently Kentucky got involved, and how much time Dybantsa has to decide, this story is far from over.

2. Cameron Boozer, PF, Columbus High School

Boozer is the son of Duke legend and NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, and his twin brother Cayden is also a Kentucky target and currently the 18th ranked player in the class of 2023 - putting him sixteen spots behind Cameron, who slots in at No. 2 behind Dybantsa.

The Boozer twins aren't committed to playing at the same school next year, but certainly, Calipari would love to have the pair if he can pull it off. Cameron's size, rebounding skill, and versatile offensive game are reminiscent of recent Duke star Paolo Banchero - making him a huge priority target for Kentucky.

3. Darius Acuff Jr., PG, IMG Academy

Acuff is ranked No. 8 in the 2025 class at 247Sports, but he is a higher priority for Kentucky right now than Darryn Peterson or Koa Peat, who are No. 4 and 5, respectively, because neither player is seen as likely to land in Lexington.

Acuff, however, could be next in a ridiculously long line of point guards to thrive at Kentucky and into the NBA. Standing 6'3, Acuff is always in control thanks to his ability to shake defenders and get into the lane, and his feel for the game is nearly unmatched in this class.

The IMG Academy product is among the many prospects at Kentucky's Blue and White scrimmage, and while Calipari will have to fend off local school Michigan - who are embroiled in another disappointing season and potential issues with coach Juwan Howard - it seems like a good chance Acuff will be a future Wildcat star point guard.

While these are the three key 2025 targets for BBN to keep an eye on, the team is also looking at Caleb Wilson (5), Meleek Thomas (9), Jasper Johnson (10), and Malachi Moreno (31).

---

Takeaways and Watch Articles from Kentucky win over Penn

Takeaways: A breakout game from Aaron Bradshaw leads the Cats past the Penn Quakers 81-66

WATCH: Aaron Bradshaw is breaking out for the Kentucky Wildcats

WATCH: Justin Edwards makes an excellent hustle play in his hometown

Follow Wildcats Today on Socials!

Like Wildcats Today on Facebook!

Follow Wildcats Today on Twitter!

Subscribe to Locked On Kentucky on YouTube!