Kentucky basketball’s 2027 class just got a lot taller—and a lot harder to score on inside. On Wednesday, Kentucky secured the commitment of 4-star center Cherif Millogo, a 7-foot-5, 250-pound prospect whose elite size is paired with a shooting stroke that forces defenses to extend to the perimeter. For a program that faced some recruiting challenges in the 2026 class, this commitment is a major recruiting win that signals Mark Pope’s staff is securing top-tier talent for the next cycle, A Sea Of Blue reported.
Millogo, who attends St. Francis High School in La Cañada Flintridge, California, announced his decision to join Kentucky, becoming the second pledge in the 2027 class alongside 4-star small forward Ryan Hampton. The commitment gives the Wildcats a foundational piece for a class that could shape the program’s frontcourt for years to come.
The Visit That Sealed the Deal
Kentucky extended an offer to Millogo in May 2026, planting a flag early while other programs were still evaluating his upside. During the summer of 2025, Alabama and Georgia were among the schools that showed interest, but the Wildcats positioned themselves as a frontrunner by spring. The breakthrough came during the weekend of Oct. 9, when Pope and his staff hosted Millogo for an official visit that included a trip to Keeneland. That visit ultimately helped Kentucky secure his commitment, A Sea Of Blue reported.
Im blessed to receive an offer from University of Kentucky thank you to Coach Pope and all the Staff for this opportunity . pic.twitter.com/733Sp2bFw3
According to On3 as reported by LEX18, Millogo selected Kentucky over offers from BYU, USC, North Carolina, Texas, Louisville, Tennessee and several other major programs.
“The Best Basketball Decision for Me”
Millogo told 247Sports that the official visit and the way Pope uses his big men influenced his decision. “I have decided to commit to the University of Kentucky,” he said. “It was a long journey and obviously the other schools were trying to get me. I feel like this, since a long time is the right place for me and I’m really excited about it. This is the best basketball decision for me.” He added that he believes Pope is the best coach for him and that he trusts him as he continues his basketball career, LEX18 reported.
Millogo’s relationship with newly hired Kentucky assistant coach Alfred Aboya may have been one factor that aided the Wildcats. Aboya previously coached with NBA Academy Africa, and given that Millogo is a native of Burkina Faso in West Africa, that shared background could have played a role in building trust late in the recruiting process, A Sea Of Blue reported.
Scouting Services Split on His Ceiling
The recruiting services do not fully agree on where Millogo lands. Rivals ranks him as the No. 11 overall prospect nationally, the No. 2 center and the No. 1 player in California. But 247Sports lists him at 7-foot-4 as a four-star and the No. 45 overall player in the 2027 class, while ESPN lists him at 7-foot-5 and ranks him No. 8 overall and the No. 2 center in the country, LEX18 reported. A Sea Of Blue reported that if he keeps developing during his senior season, he might campaign for a fifth star in the recruiting rankings.
On the court, Millogo offers an intriguing combination of size and skill. As a stretch 5 capable of hitting 3-pointers while guarding the rim as a shot blocker, he brings a skill set suited to the modern college game that provides Pope with lineup versatility.
Two Commits in the 2027 Class
With Millogo on board, Kentucky now holds two commitments in the 2027 class: 4-star small forward Ryan Hampton and now Millogo. With several highly rated prospects remaining available, the Wildcats will aim to sustain that momentum. 5-star power forward CJ Rosser is among the names Kentucky could continue pursuing. Pope and his staff have plenty of options as they continue to work to improve the class. A Sea Of Blue reported that should the Wildcats preserve their recruiting momentum and add a few more key pieces, Kentucky could find itself able to build one of the nation’s top classes.
More on Cherif Millogo
Cherif Millogo @Cherif_mlg — one of the most unique big men in the class of 2027 — calls it for #bigbluenation and commits to Kentucky he tells @247Sports . "This is the best basketball decision for me." Story: https://t.co/WsMomIiAaC pic.twitter.com/axtfTLdN2i
7-5 Cherif Millogo has committed to Kentucky. “There is a unique nature to Cherif Millogo’s game. One that is hard to ignore, and quite possibly fits the exact trend of the NBA. Millogo is a 7-foot-5 center…” https://t.co/9TLEW0eKCG
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