Top-10 recruit Caleb Wilson has committed to the North Carolina Tar Heels over the Kentucky Wildcats and Ohio State Buckeyes. Wilson made the announcement on the Thursday edition of NBA on TNT.

Wilson was a Kentucky target under John Calipari, even attending 2023 Big Blue Madness, but was originally believed to be a longshot once Pope and Co. took over. That said, they were able to get him on campus for an official visit back in September, and after a near-perfect visit, took the lead in his recruitment.

After missing on multiple top recruiting targets in this cycle, including No. 1 overall prospect AJ Dybantsa, Hubert Davis and North Carolina ramped up their pursuit of Wilson in November. With his job security dwindling in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels reportedly offered Wilson the highest NIL package of the final three schools.

Wilson was certainly a prospect that Kentucky put a lot of effort into and wanted. Now, they will reevaluate and I am told they will look at options in high school recruits and the transfer portal.

In the 2025 class, Kentucky is still alive for top-five wing Nate Ament, but it would be an uphill battle, and Alijah Arenas, who recently reclassified from 2026. The Wildcats may look at Miikka Muurinen, a 2026 prospect, who is a reclass candidate.

As for the portal, it is too early to tell, but with the $2+ million that Kentucky would have used on Wilson, they could get an ELITE wing if one becomes available or two experienced players at the level of Andrew Carr.

With the commitments of Acaden Lewis, Jasper Johnson, and Malachi Moreno, the Wildcats are currently ranked sixth overall.

What’s most important is that they have options.