Mark Pope got his guy, sealing the deal with Baylor’s Alvin Brooks III to round out his recruiting staff at Kentucky. The first-year coach started with BYU’s Cody Fueger before adding former G League Ignite head coach Jason Hart, both officially announced Monday. And after bringing in Scott Drew’s right-hand man in Waco to explore Lexington on Tuesday, Brooks agreed to become the Wildcats’ next Associate Head Coach under Pope early Wednesday.

What makes Brooks’ hire so important for Kentucky? It starts with recruiting, the 44-year-old reeling in the likes of VJ Edgecombe, Ja’Kobe Walter and Keyonte George in recent years, three of Baylor’s biggest signees in program history. He’s also a proven winner, helping lead the Bears to a national championship in 2021, the first in school history and just the third-ever Final Four with none since 1950.

“When he locks in on a dude … he’s the betting favorite every time.”

His reputation is strong, to put it lightly. You won’t find anyone with a negative word to say about him on the floor as a coach and off as a person. What is he bringing to the table, though, as Pope’s top assistant? KSR spoke with several high-level scouts, decision-makers and opposing staffs in the basketball world to get their takes.

“Mark Pope and co. needed a shark. That’s exactly what ABIII is,” one scout said. “Scott Drew’s run at Baylor was built from the ground up, but Brooks III was very key in elevating them to another level in terms of talent over the last few years. Big-time relationships guy, especially in Texas. When he locks in a dude, like he did with Edgecombe, George and Walter, he’s the betting favorite every time.”

“I don’t know if there were any stronger options.”

And that was in Waco. What happens when you get him in blue and white to sell Kentucky basketball? That’s a game-changer.

“Now, that sell is even easier with a brand like UK behind him,” the scout added. “He does things the right way too. In terms of the role UK needed, I don’t know if there were any stronger options on the board. Both the level of the recruiting stature in terms of premier guys and the (evaluations) he’s made on others, have been high-level over the last few years.”

“A star among (assistant coaches).”

Another major decision-maker considers Brooks a “star” in the industry with deep recruiting ties across the country.

“Involved in winning at every level along his journey. Has coached and recruited in basically every state in the Midwest,” they told KSR. “Has ties to everybody, including Kentucky from his dad’s time as (director of operations). Lead recruiter on multiple 5-stars at Baylor. A star among (assistant coaches).”

“Know you will be in a battle to the end every time.”

How about in-state coaching foes in Texas? Rival schools are excited to see him leave the Lone Star State for their own recruiting efforts.

“Highly respected by others at Baylor as well as other schools,” one opposing staffer said. “Does a great job relationship building with everyone involved without much fluff and thorough in his work, know you will be in a battle to the end every time.”