Kentucky's Mark Pope goes fishing for a top 2027 recruit

When the Kentucky Wildcats missed on top 2026 recruit Tyran Stokes, it left them with no players ranked in the top 100 this season. That hasn't stopped coach Mark Pope from targeting the top players in the 2027 class, though, and they are already hard at work on C.J. Rosser, a top five player in the group.

Building a connection with recruits is certainly a part of the process, and Pope, along with assistant Mikhail McLean, jumped into that process with a trip to Orlando where they went fishing, as reported by Jack Pilgrim of Kentucy Sports Radio. Rosser is a self-described "country boy" who loves to fish, so the Wildcats coaches joined him for some fun on the water.

It was really fun having the coaches out here with me and my family doing something I love. It means a lot that they continue to show up for me and try to get to know me off the court too. I might could teach them a thing or two about fishing though.

It seems as if the trio had a good time, and they did catch at least one fish, so it was also a fruitful endeavor in that regard. It also made a good impression on Rosser.

NEW -- Kentucky's Mark Pope and Mikhail McLean went fishing with '27 No. 1 recruit CJ Rosser on Tuesday

"It means a lot that they continue to show up for me and try to get to know me off the court too," he told KSR.

STORY: https://t.co/0csx6faCy9pic.twitter.com/OZFzD1MK8N— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) April 29, 2026

Kentucky originally offered Rosser back in 2025, and will be heavily involved going forward as well. With Pope on the hot seat, and fan opinion turning against him, landing an elite recruit would bring him some good will. Rosser would be his biggest recruiting win so far, and his game fits what Pope wants to do. There's also a lot of good fishing in Kentucky. Just saying.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky basketball target C.J. Rosser takes Mark Pope fishing