Kentucky basketball is heating back up after an initially disappointing offseason that included many transfer portal misses for John Calipari.

Things got a lot better when 4-star big man Somto Cyril committed to the Wildcats on Wednesday. The physical 6-foot-10 center is the No. 44 prospect in the class of 2024, and will add an explosive element to the UK roster.

“Somto Cyril is unlikely to reclassify to the 2023 class and play the 2023-24 season at Kentucky,” per 247 Sports reporter Travis Branham.

Whether or not Cyril reclassifies, the Kentucky class for 2023 is now ranked No. 1 in the country. They have four 5-star freshman on the way to Lexington, who will be critical to replace outgoing stars.

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Basketball News
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.
SEC Commissioner pushes for 76 team NCAA Tournament expansionRussell Steinberg ·
Whitnall's Myles Herro (2) battles to get past La Crosse Central's Bennett Fried (12) during the WIAA Division 2 state boys basketball semifinal at the Kohl Center in Madison on Friday, March 17, 2023.
Tyler Herro’s brother commits to Ohio State men’s basketballRussell Steinberg ·
Connecticut Huskies head coach Dan Hurley reacts against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the finals of the East Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at TD Garden.
UConn, Illinois basketball finalizing Black Friday showdown at MSGRexwell Villas ·
North Carolina Tar Heels forward Ven-Allen Lubin (22) plays the ball defended by San Diego State Aztecs guard Nick Boyd (2) in the second half at UD Arena.
Will Wade, NC State add North Carolina starter to boost big man roomTroy Finnegan ·
University of South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley answers a question by moderator Dan Hughes during the University of Mount Union's Schooler Lecture speaker series on April 23, 2025, in Alliance, Ohio Mandatory Credit: © Kevin Whitlock / Massillon Independent / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Dawn Staley jokes about un-retiring after getting A’ja Wilson’s shoesZachary Draves ·
Montana State Bobcats forward Brandon Walker (2) shoots the ball defended by Grambling State Tigers guard Jourdan Smith (11) in the second half at UD Arena.
Mississippi State basketball gets 14.7-PPG transfer from NCAA Tournament teamScotty White ·

They also landed 4-star transfer Tre Mitchell from West Virginia on Monday, who entered the portal last week after the disappointing fallout from the Bob Huggins incident and subsequent resignation.

The flurry of moves comes on the heels of losing many centerpieces of the previous roster. Guards Sahvir Wheeler and CJ Fredrick decided to transfer out of the conference, and former national player of the year Oscar Tschiebwe entered the draft with forward Chris Livingston and PG Cason Wallace.

Calipari recently had the honor of extending his first round NBA Draft pick streak to 16 years in a row, when Wallace was selected in the top 10 last week.

The veteran Wildcats coach will have his work cut out for him in 2023, as he looks to round out this top ranked roster with limited upperclassmen experience. Calipari has been here before, winning his National Championship in 2012 stacked with five-star freshmen Anthony Davis and Michael-Kidd Gilchrist, who later became NBA stars.