Chandler (Ariz.) AZ Compass Prep Top-5 Junior Mookie Cook made the cut on his list Tuesday and Kentucky is believed to be at or near the top of it.
Cook (6-7,200), who is No. 4 overall in the industry average 247Sports Composite Ranking for 2023, is well below Arizona, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis, Michigan, Oregon, Texas Tech and UCLA.
Cook, who made his first official visit to the UK, was in attendance at Roop Arena for the Wildcats' 95-72 exhibition win over the Kentucky Wesleyan in late October, when he became the seventh prospect to receive a scholarship offer in the 2023 Class . Head coach John Calipari.
"It's definitely been a great tour," Cook told 247Sports director Eric Bossi. "The connection with the crowd, the environment and the coaches, he's a great employee. I love all the coaches, I love their energy and I love the style of play. Coach Cal came to see me in Delaware and he always Touch with me live inside."
He also has many ties to the Kentucky program.
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Cook attended Jefferson High School, the same school that produced former wildcat Terrence Jones, before transferring to AZ Compass Prep in Arizona as a new UK guard Tyty Washington. The same school that John Wall, Nerlens Noel and attended. Devin Booker is the only player in league history to be named SEC Freshman of the Week four times in a row, scoring a career-high 29 points in a 107-79 victory over No. 22 Tennessee on Saturday.
Already near the top of the 2023 rankings, Cook is making his case for consecutive No. 1 in his first season in Compass Prep.
Cook was one of the standouts at the prestigious Hoofle Classic in Springfield, Mass., where he scored 6 of 7 shots including 3 three-pointers from 4 to go with 6 rebounds, 2 assists, a block and a steal on 16 points. ended with. 68-36 win over Maryland's National Christian Academy.
“He is known for his explosive athleticism, but his shot-making and his slashing from the catch stole the show. He was efficient and effective on both ends of the floor and showed a substantial amount of upside that could give the evaluators a look at his future. Keeps you excited about it," wrote 247Sports National Recruitment analyst Travis Branham.
"In a class that is wide open as possibilities shuffle around the rankings, Cook is reinventing himself at the top. He has had a strong season as a junior in one of the best teams in the country and has been on the floor. His influence on both ends is supporting him.
He has ball skills, he is a talented passer and he makes shots with three catches. With the continued development of his jumper, especially when shooting from the bridge, he could do more moves in the pecking order of the 2023 class."
Cook will make his second official visit to Oregon over the weekend of February 10.