The No. 2-ranked overall recruit in the class of 2027 has set an official visit date with head coach Mark Pope and the Kentucky men’s basketball program. On3’s Joe Tipton was first on the news.

CJ Rosser, a 6-foot-10, five-star power forward out of Southeastern Prep (Orlando, Fla.), will visit Lexington for Big Blue Madness on Oct. 2, an exhibition event that Big Blue Nation widely considers as the start of the new basketball season.

While listed as the No.1-ranked power forward in the nation, Rosser has received over 25 offers but has since narrowed his list to seven; along with Kentucky, the other listed programs include North Carolina, Louisville, Arkansas, Miami, NC State and USC.

Before touching down in Lexington, Rosser has four scheduled visits beforehand; first up is North Carolina, scheduled for Sept. 11, which is then followed by NC State (Sept. 16), Miami (Sept. 25) and Arkansas (Sept. 28).

Following his visit to UK, Rosser will head to USC on Oct. 4 and round things out with head coach Pat Kelsey and in-state rival Louisville on Oct. 22.

Rosser began his high school career in his home state of North Carolina in Rocky Mount, playing for Northern Nash High School; however, following two seasons there, he transferred to Southeastern Prep ahead of his junior year.

During his inaugural season at Southeastern Prep, Rosser averaged 16.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.6 blocks per game through 40 games played.

He shot 46% from the field and 33% from downtown.

Rosser can provide both on offense, defense and pretty much everywhere in between, striking the eye of numerous college coaches, and rightfully so.

Following his junior campaign, Rosser earned first-team All-Sunshine Independent Athletic Association (SIAA) National Division honors and was named to the All-USA Southeast first team by USA Today.

Pope’s 2027 recruiting class kicked off with a commitment from five-star small forward Ryan Hampton, who committed back on June 7, 2026; as of now, he is the only commit. UK holds offers with 17 other class of 2027 recruits, 9 five-stars and eight four-stars. Three other offers were diminished by those players committing to a different program.

If the then-fourth-year head coach (assuming this year pans out somewhat well) can reel in two five-star freshmen, two forwards to be exact, Kentucky’s 2027 front court will be looking lethal, and that would come before Pope even dips into the transfer portal.

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