A five-star player cuts his list. Did UK make it? And other top links from the Next Cats blog.

One of the top basketball recruits in the class of 2023 has reached the next stage of his recruitment, and Kentucky won’t be a part of his plans.

Ron Holland — a 6-foot-8 power forward from Duncanville, Texas, and a consensus five-star recruit — released his top three schools on Friday night.

Arkansas, Texas and UCLA all made the cut, which further whittled the field of contending schools after Holland previously had a list of five post-high school playing options that included Kentucky.

The Wildcats and the NBA G-League were the two playing pathways eliminated in Holland’s new list.

Holland’s choice to cut Kentucky from his future plans was somewhat expected.

The Wildcats offered a scholarship to Holland in June, shortly after he made an official visit to Lexington.

But since then, UK’s 2023 recruiting class has crystallized.

Point guard Robert Dillingham committed to Kentucky near the end of June. Small forward Justin Edwards did the same in July.

Then, center Aaron Bradshaw pledged to become a Wildcat in October, on the night of Big Blue Madness.

Top combo guard DJ Wagner is also widely expected to become a Kentucky player, which would signal another massive recruiting victory for John Calipari.

These four players would be set to join UK’s other class of 2023 commit, in-state combo guard Reed Sheppard, a Kentucky legacy recruit who announced his commitment to UK in November 2021.

There’s also plenty of talent already found in the Kentucky frontcourt, and it remains to be seen if the likes of Damion Collins, Jacob Toppin and Oscar Tshiebwe will return to Lexington for another season.

With this as the context, Holland’s decision to decline Kentucky’s interest makes more sense.

Whichever program between Arkansas, Texas and UCLA that lands Holland will be getting a player with plenty of potential at the college level.

Matt McKay Jr. — the founder of the Pro Insight basketball website and someone with scouting experience in two NBA front offices — told the Herald-Leader in September that Holland’s best current attribute is how he impacts winning both offensively and defensively.

“Ron’s combination approach, mentality, care-factor, motor, toughness and all-around versatility helps him leave a positive imprint all over the place,” McKay said. “His blend of very tangible as well as intangible value adds project to scale nicely as he moves up levels.”

Top Kentucky basketball recruiting links

Exhibition win: UK begins exhibition slate with sloppy home win

Wheeler injury: What we know about Sahvir Wheeler’s injury

Secret scrimmages: Calipari wants UK to play behind closed doors

In-state UK recruit Travis Perry updates his recruitment

Class of 2024 Kentucky recruit Isaiah Elohim secures NIL representation

Class of 2024 UK recruit Ian Jackson took a visit last week to Oregon

Three class of 2023 UK commits plan to sign during November early period

NBA star Jaylen Brown offers to sponsor tournaments that will invite Donda Academy

Kentucky projected as No. 2 team in college basketball by CBS Sports

Louisville makes the cut for top point guard in 2024

ESPN’s 2022-23 SEC men’s basketball preview

Talented freshman at Florida State suspended first 16 games by NCAA

This story was originally published October 31, 2022 at 7:00 AM.

Cameron Drummond

Lexington Herald-Leader

859-242-5257

Cameron Drummond works as a sports reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader with a focus on Kentucky men’s basketball recruiting and the UK men’s basketball team, horse racing, soccer and other sports in Central Kentucky. Drummond is a second-generation American who was born and raised in Texas, before graduating from Indiana University. He is a fluent Spanish speaker who previously worked as a community news reporter in Austin, Texas. Support my work with a digital subscription