Acaden Lewis, a highly regarded four-star point guard from Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., has decommitted from the University of Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class, reopening his recruitment. The 6-foot-2 left-hander initially committed to Kentucky in November 2024, choosing the Wildcats over finalists Duke and UConn.
Lewis expressed that the decision was challenging but necessary for his future, thanking Coach Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff for their support. He emphasized that his choice was not a reflection of negative feelings toward the program.
His decommitment leaves Kentucky with commitments from two high school players in the 2025 class: Overtime Elite guard Jasper Johnson and in-state big man Malachi Moreno, both ranked in the top 30 nationally. The Wildcats also have four transfers joining the program: center Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State), forward Mo Dioubate (Alabama), point guard Jaland Lowe (Pitt), and small forward Kam Williams (Tulane). Lowe’s recent commitment is expected to provide immediate support at the point guard position.
In light of Lewis’s departure, Coach Pope is reportedly focusing on the transfer portal to strengthen Kentucky’s backcourt. Potential targets include Princeton’s Xaivian Lee, Dayton’s Malachi Smith, and UC Riverside’s Barrington Hargress, among others.
These developments highlight the dynamic nature of college basketball recruiting, with programs continually adjusting to commitments, decommitments, and transfer portal activity
