JUST NOW: Historic Move as 7-Foot-5, 265-Pound Shooting Guard Denzel Aberdeen Officially Commits to Kentucky Wildcats over Duke, Kansas, and Alabama

 

LEXINGTON, Ky.

In a decision that will be talked about for years to come, Denzel Aberdeen, the towering 7-foot-5, 265-pound shooting guard sensation, has officially committed to the Kentucky Wildcats, choosing John Calipari’s squad over a slew of college basketball’s biggest powerhouses, including Duke, Kansas, and Alabama.

 

Aberdeen’s commitment marks one of the most historic moments in modern college basketball recruiting, not just because of his overwhelming physical profile, but because of the rare combination of size and skill that he brings to the floor. At 7-5, he becomes the tallest shooting guard prospect in NCAA history, a true unicorn at a position typically reserved for smaller, more agile players.

 

> “Today, I’m blessed to announce that I’ll be taking my talents to the University of Kentucky,” Aberdeen said during a nationally televised press conference. “This has been a lifelong dream. I trust Coach Cal to develop me into the best player I can be. Big Blue Nation, I’m coming home. Let’s get to work!”

 

 

 

A Once-in-a-Generation Talent

 

Aberdeen, who played his senior season at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas, captivated scouts across the country with his unprecedented mobility, perimeter shooting, and ball-handling skills. Despite his imposing frame, Aberdeen moves with the fluidity of a much smaller guard, showcasing a smooth jump shot from beyond the arc, deft passing vision, and an uncanny ability to create his own shot off the dribble.

 

His statistics this past season were equally mind-boggling:

 

28.7 points per game

 

10.2 rebounds per game

 

5.6 assists per game

 

2.3 blocks per game

 

 

Those numbers led Sunrise Christian to a national top-5 ranking and placed Aberdeen atop nearly every major recruiting service’s prospect list. ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports unanimously ranked him as the No. 1 player in the 2025 class.

 

> “There’s just no comparison for Denzel,” said ESPN recruiting analyst Paul Biancardi. “He has the build of a center, but the game of an elite two-guard. We’ve never seen anything like this — he’s literally a matchup nightmare at every level.”

 

 

 

Beating the Bluebloods

 

The battle for Aberdeen’s signature was as fierce as any in recent memory.

 

Duke pitched the legacy of becoming the next in line among Blue Devil greats.

 

Kansas offered the promise of immediate stardom under Bill Self’s championship-caliber program.

 

Alabama made a strong push with its modern, NBA-style offense and a lucrative NIL package.

 

 

Yet, in the end, it was Kentucky’s vision that won out.

Sources close to the recruitment indicated that Coach Calipari personally led the charge, visiting Aberdeen multiple times and selling him on the idea of becoming the centerpiece of a reimagined Wildcats attack — one that would feature Aberdeen’s perimeter game while unleashing him as a matchup weapon across multiple positions.

 

> “Coach Cal told me from Day 1 — they weren’t going to try to turn me into something I’m not,” Aberdeen said. “They love my game just the way it is. They see me as a guard first, not just a big man. That meant everything to me and my family.”

 

 

 

A Game-Changer for Kentucky

 

Aberdeen’s commitment immediately shifts Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class from strong to historic.

With him in the fold, Kentucky now holds commitments from four of the nation’s top 20 players, and is expected to reclaim the No. 1 overall spot in the national team recruiting rankings.

 

More importantly, Aberdeen offers something no other program in the country will have:

 

A legitimate 7-foot-5 perimeter threat who can defend multiple positions, stretch the floor, and change games with his shot-making and presence alone.

 

 

Analysts are already speculating that Aberdeen could have the same type of impact that players like Kevin Durant and Victor Wembanyama had when they entered their respective stages — reshaping how teams approach both offense and defense.

 

> “He’s going to change the way college basketball looks next season,” said CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander. “Imagine trying to guard a player that tall out on the wing. Teams just aren’t built for that. Kentucky just got themselves a historic weapon.”

 

 

 

What’s Next for Aberdeen

 

With the decision now behind him, Aberdeen plans to enroll early at Kentucky this summer, allowing him to start training with the program’s strength and conditioning staff ahead of the 2025-26 season. His early arrival should accelerate his adjustment to the college game — particularly the physical demands and the pace of SEC basketball.

 

And while NBA scouts are already drooling over his long-term potential, Aberdeen remains focused on the immediate goal: winning a national title for Kentucky.

 

> “I’m not looking ahead right now,” he said. “I’m locked in on helping my team, growing my game, and bringing a banner back to Lexington. That’s all I care about.”

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

Denzel Aberdeen’s commitment isn’t just another five-star signing.

It’s a transformational moment — for Kentucky, for college basketball, and perhaps for the very way we imagine what a shooting guard can be.

 

Big Blue Nation, brace yourselves:

A 7-foot-5 sniper is coming to Rupp Arena.

 

And history might just be made.