Top Recruit Acaden Lewis Decommits from Kentucky, Leaving Team in Search

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Four-star point guard Acaden Lewis has decommitted from the University of Kentucky, throwing the Wildcats’ recruiting plans into disarray for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Lewis, who is ranked No. 32 in the class of 2025 and No. 5 at his position, made the announcement recently after initially committing to the Wildcats during the early signing period.

In a statement, Lewis expressed that the decision was not easy. “This was an incredibly difficult decision, but I have to do what’s best for my future,” he said. Lewis thanked Coach Mark Pope and the entire Kentucky staff for their ongoing support.

The Washington D.C. native, who signed with Kentucky in November, chose the Wildcats over prominent programs like Duke and UConn. He had previously emphasized the allure of being a point guard at Kentucky, one of college basketball’s storied programs, saying it was a “huge deal.”

Lewis was excited about the opportunity, noting that Coach Pope had a clear vision for him in the team’s future. “There’s a starting spot and he wants me to take it. I want to come in and run the team,” he told KSR. His skills in pushing the pace and creating plays made him a key target for Kentucky’s backcourt.

Pope, who has recently begun reshaping the Wildcats’ roster, now faces the challenge of filling the gap left by Lewis’s decommitment. The Wildcats’ 2025 recruiting class is down to just two: five-star guard Jasper Johnson and five-star center Malachi Moreno.

“Acaden Lewis is so much of what you want to find in a great point guard,” Pope stated after the recruitment concluded. “He has incredible vision. He’s got a beautiful stroke and can get to the rim and finish.”

With Lewis reopening his recruitment, other programs are likely to pursue him aggressively, as he becomes one of the most sought-after uncommitted guards in the nation. Kentucky may now shift its focus to other prospects in the 2025 class or explore options in the transfer portal to bolster their roster.

The loss of Lewis is significant not just for Kentucky’s immediate plans but also for the broader landscape of college basketball recruiting. His decommitment places additional pressure on Pope to attract other talent, as fans and analysts closely monitor the situation.

As the Kentucky basketball program looks ahead, their primary challenge remains: finding a capable backup point guard to complement their transfer addition, along with another scoring wing from the transfer portal. The recruiting landscape remains fluid, and Kentucky’s coaching staff will need to act quickly to reinforce their roster.