Aaron Bradshaw commits to Kentucky. Wildcats earn pledge from elite class of 2023 center.
Prior to Big Blue Madness on Friday night, Kentucky’s 2023 recruiting class received a significant addition.
Class of 2023 center Aaron Bradshaw — who was listed at 7-1 and 215 pounds at this year’s NBPA Top 100 Camp — announced his commitment to Kentucky, despite previously saying he would be announcing his post-high school playing destination on Nov. 16.
Bradshaw was one of a bevy of top Kentucky recruits that attended Friday night’s Big Blue Madness in Rupp Arena.
Bradshaw received a scholarship offer from Kentucky following the first 2022 recruiting period of the spring.
He previously visited Kentucky in June, with Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman leading UK’s recruiting efforts.
Bradshaw was also thought to be committing to Kentucky over the summer, an expected choice that finally materialized in surprise fashion on Friday.
His commitment gives Kentucky four players who have pledged to the Wildcats in the class of 2023: Bradshaw, point guard Robert Dillingham, combo guard Reed Sheppard and small forward Justin Edwards.
Bradshaw is currently ranked as the No. 6 player in the class of 2023 per the 247Sports Composite.
Dillingham is ranked as the No. 9 player in the class per the 247Sports Composite.
Justin Edwards is ranked as the No. 2 player in the class per the 247Sports Composite.
Reed Sheppard, an in-state recruit from North Laurel High School, is ranked No. 29 in the class per the 247Sports Composite.
According to the 247Sports Composite, the Kentucky men’s basketball program currently has the second best recruiting class in 2023.
There are three five-star commits in the class (Bradshaw, Dillingham, Edwards) and one four-star commitment (Sheppard).
UK is only behind Duke (five commits, all five-stars) in the 2023 recruiting rankings, per the 247Sports Composite.
Kentucky hasn’t had a top-rated recruiting class, according to 247Sports, since 2020.
Of course, the other much-talked about element of Bradshaw’s commitment is the fact he is high school and travel ball teammates with DJ Wagner, long considered the top player in the 2023 recruiting class.
The players were seen sitting near each other and talking during Friday’s Big Blue Madness.
This story was originally published October 14, 2022 at 6:47 PM.
