John Calipari, Kentucky Checks in on 2024 5-Stars Flory Bidunga, Tre Johnson

The Wildcats are trying to make up ground in the recruitment of the pair of 5-stars.

While the focus of the college basketball world is squarely on the illustrious transfer portal, Kentucky basketball and head coach John Calipari are logging some serious miles on the recruiting trail. 

With the Wildcats yet to reel in a big fish in the class of 2024, a sense of urgency surrounds picking up some commitments, especially when staring at the incoming No. 1 class in 2023. Over the weekend, Calipari and Co. did some traveling to check in on two of the top five players in the 2024 group. 

First, on Friday, the staff headed over to Kokomo, Ind. to meet with 6-foot-9 center Flory Bidunga. It's the second time in less than a month that Kentucky has been in to see the No. 3 player (On3 Consensus) in action. 

Bidunga hails from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the same country as Kentucky superstar Oscar Tshiebwe. Kentucky offered the No. 3 player in the class back in October, though it doesn't appear to have stock in the recruiting battle, as Cincinnati has been the favored landing spot for the Kokomo High School standout for some time, though he has taken official visits to Auburn and Florida. 

Perhaps the recent influx of attention could help give Kentucky some skin in the game. Jack Pilgrim of Kentucky Sports Radio later reported that Bidunga was "looking to schedule a visit" with UK this summer.  

Later on in the weekend, Calipari, Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman were down in Texas to get another look at the No. 1 overall player in the class, shooting guard Tre Johnson. 

Standing 6-foot-5, 180 pounds, Johnson holds a host of offers, but Baylor and Texas are thought to be two of the frontrunners. Kentucky offered last June and hosted the Dallas native in Lexington for an OV in January. Like Bidunga, the Cats are behind but are looking to make up some ground to pull off a humongous recruiting win. 

Kentucky has previously missed on other top 2024 recruits, like UNC commit Ian Jackson (No. 4 overall), Rutgers commit Ace Bailey (Rutgers) and Auburn commit Tahaad Pettiford (No. 29). 

More on the soon-to-be Wildcats HERE.

Inside Kentucky basketball's somber locker room after NCAA Tourney defeat HERE.

More on the potential roster overhaul in Lexington HERE.

More on the loss to Kansas State HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

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