Mark Pope and Kentucky Basketball landed their second commitment in the 2027 class yesterday, picking up fast-rising big man Cherif Millogo. Millogo is the second recruit the Wildcats have landed for next season, joining fellow five-star Ryan Hampton.
With Malachi Moreno more than likely heading to the NBA Draft after this season and Franck Kepnang out of eligibility, it was crucial for Mark Pope to land a high-profile center recruit. Lewis Uvwo, Paul Osaruyi, and Cherif Millogo were the big three in the class, and Mark Pope landed his man.
Cherif Millogo’s Exciting Skillset
Standing at 7’5” and 250 pounds, the California native has been one of the fastest risers in the recruiting rankings in recent months, reaching eighth in the latest SC Next list.
When analyzing his game, it’s easy to see why so many scouts are raving about his abilities. Despite his incredible size, Millogo possesses a good motor and solid floor mobility, especially for someone so young. He’s able to make recoveries with his stride length and has the instincts and athleticism to become an elite rim protector at the next level.
As one would expect, his shot-blocking abilities have been elite at the high school level, and his timing and physical tools suggest he can continue that success at the next level. Millogo also has strong hands, turning many of his own blocks into defensive rebounds.
On the offensive side, Millogo is raw but incredibly effective. He’s naturally a threat at the rim with his size, making him a massive target for lobs and put-backs. He’s also deceptively fast, frequently outpacing opposing bigs for quick finishes at the rim. Arguably the most exciting aspect of Millogo’s game, though, is his potential as a multi-level scorer. He’s flashed a good baseline stroke and has even shown the ability to drain triples from beyond the college three-point line.
Areas For Development
Millogo may weigh 250 pounds, but he still has room to fill out his gargantuan 7’5” frame. He needs to get stronger in his lower body to hold his own against premier veteran bigs in the physical SEC.
Additionally, much like most high schoolers, he needs to develop his defensive discipline. He can get caught relying too heavily on his reach and physical tools, something that won’t be as effective against tougher competition. He can bite on pump fakes and occasionally get caught out of position. His athleticism allows him to recover against his current competition, but that will become more difficult against the best college players in the country.
He will also need to refine his more advanced offensive skills, as he is currently reliant on basic catch-and-finish situations. He has the ability and has shown glimpses of greater offensive versatility, but he will need to continue honing those skills.
Millogo’s High School Statistics
The St. Francis product had an incredible high school season last year, posting 27.2 PPG, 13.7 RPG, and 5.6 BPG en route to an All-American selection. His field goal percentage hovered around 68%, while his three-point percentage was 38% in a limited sample size.
Something Big Blue Nation ought to love is the high-profile poster dunk he slammed down on Lewis Uvwo, a Kentucky target who ultimately committed to Providence instead. It’s a good glimpse of what could be coming in the future.
How Does Millogo Fit Into Mark Pope’s System?
Millogo is the type of big man Mark Pope is looking for, as he profiles as a solo rim anchor with elite defensive upside and vertical spacing. With a full year to develop his lower-body strength and conditioning, the 19-year-old could be one of the best big men in the country next season.
End Of My Kentucky Basketball Rant
Mark Pope is already making up for his struggles during this year’s recruiting cycle by assembling quite the unit for next season. Millogo joins Ryan Hampton as the second five-star to commit to Kentucky, and there could be more on the way. Pope and his staff are working on power forward CJ Rosser, who is the No. 2 player in the class.
Additionally, Millogo is actively recruiting the No. 1 overall player in the 2028 class, Yann Kamagate, who is a close friend of his. Kamagate is expected to reclassify to the 2027 class, and there appears to be serious interest in joining Millogo in Lexington.
It’s an exciting time in Lexington, as Mark Pope is quietly off to an exceptional start with next year’s recruiting class. Bringing in Rosser and Kamagate, combined with the potential return of several players, would give Big Blue Nation plenty of reasons to be excited. The exciting big man Cherif Millogo is the latest domino to fall in Pope’s grand vision, and it’s a significant one.
