Yohan Traore, the 6-foot-11, 227-pound power forward from Dream City Christian in Glendale, Ariz., is one of the most heavily recruited prospects in the entire 2022 class. Traore, the No. 4 ranked player in the class, is also the top unsigned prospect in high school hoops. Kansas, LSU, Louisville, Memphis, Michigan, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Texas Tech, UCLA, UTAH, Arizona State, Arkansas, California, Creighton, Gonzaga, Houston, Ohio State, Oregon, TCU, Texas, USC, and others have made a strong push. I mean, most of these programs have extended a ton of time recruiting the elite big man.
Currently, Traore, the No. 1 ranked power forward in the 2022 class, has officially visited Kansas, Texas Tech, Michigan, and Memphis. Originally, Traore had planned to visit Texas or UCLA, while also considering the NBL and the G League. However, late in the game, Kentucky decided to throw its hat into the ring and get involved. Now, recently, Traore, a five-star prospect, made it clear that a visit to Kentucky will have, almost immediately, if a scholarship offer is extended. As of 8:54 on Tuesday morning, no scholarship offer from Kentucky has been extended to Traore.
So, after making some calls this morning, I was told that Kansas is still in play for Traore, but at this point, nobody really knows for sure what he’s thinking. I think the feeling is that, if Kentucky offers, Traore will ultimately accept the offer. Folks, it doesn’t matter how those on the outside might or might not feel about Coach Cal, elite recruits still love and want to play for him. The thing about it is, Coach Cal, from what I was told, is dragging his feet with on this one and, at the end of the day, still may win out.
If Kentucky doesn’t offer or if Traore just decides to go elsewhere, the guy I spoke to said he could see Traore going to Kansas or Texas Tech, for instance. The thing is, he’s done such a great job with the recruiting process and has everybody guessing right now. If you asked me today, I just don’t see Traore to Kansas happening. I only say that because nobody really seems to know what he’s thinking. I mean, it's clear that a visit to Kentucky will happen if the coaching staff decides to offer, but no offer has come through yet.
Regardless of what I think or what others think, the fight for Yohan Traore is still on and Kansas is still very much involved.