The Kentucky Wildcats have surged ahead of the competition in the race to sign rising Israeli guard Or Ashkenazi, edging out rivals like the Louisville Cardinals and Kansas Jayhawks. According to reports, Kentucky has reached an agreement with Hapoel Eilat, Ashkenazi’s current team in the Israeli Basketball Premier League, making waves in the basketball recruiting world.
At just 21 years old, the 6-foot-5 guard has already earned recognition for his three seasons of professional experience. His 2023-24 campaign was a standout, with averages of 4.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, proving his versatility and on-court awareness.
Assistant coach Mikhail McLean spearheaded Kentucky’s recruiting efforts, reportedly reaching out to Ashkenazi’s agency, per Jacob Polacheck of KSR+. This move reflects Kentucky’s growing interest in the international talent pool, a strategy that could redefine its roster dynamics.
More than a dozen programs, including Louisville, Auburn, Kansas State, and Ohio State, were in the mix for Ashkenazi, according to BBC. However, the Wildcats’ global approach and storied basketball legacy appear to have sealed the deal.
Could Ashkenazi be the missing piece for Kentucky’s championship aspirations? Fans eagerly await his potential impact as the Wildcats continue to dominate both domestic and international recruiting landscapes.
