# Top Player In America Flips Commitment To Kentucky In Stunning Recruiting Move
In a recruiting development that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball landscape, five-star prospect Marcus Thompson announced his commitment to the University of Kentucky on Thursday, abandoning his previous pledge to the Duke Blue Devils just two months before the early signing period begins.
Thompson, widely regarded as the top player in the class of 2025, made the announcement during a live ceremony at his high school in Houston, Texas, surrounded by family, coaches, and a national television audience. The 6-foot-8 forward had been considered a Duke lean for the majority of his recruitment, with many analysts projecting him as the centerpiece of the Blue Devils’ incoming freshman class.
“This was not an easy decision,” Thompson said during his commitment ceremony, fighting back emotions as he addressed the crowd. “Coach Calipari and the entire Kentucky program showed me a vision that I couldn’t turn away from. They understand what I’m trying to become as a player and as a man. I want to be part of something special, and I believe Kentucky is where that happens.”
The recruitment of Thompson had remained relatively quiet in recent weeks, leading most recruiting analysts to assume his decision was locked in with Duke. However, multiple sources indicate that Thompson took an unofficial visit to Lexington last weekend, where he met extensively with Kentucky head coach John Calipari and watched a private workout with several current Wildcats players. That visit, according to those close to the situation, fundamentally altered his perspective.
“Marcus got a feel for the culture there,” said Thompson’s high school coach, David Williams, who has guided the prodigy throughout his recruitment. “He saw how Coach Calipari develops players, not just for the NBA but for life. He saw the facilities, the fan base, and the winning tradition. When someone shows you that kind of genuine investment in your future, it means something.”
Kentucky’s recruiting momentum has been building throughout the early portions of the 2025 cycle, but landing Thompson represents perhaps the program’s most significant commitment in years. The Wildcats have long been known as a destination for elite talent, but recent cycles have seen some top prospects choose other programs. Thompson’s decision signals that Calipari’s pitch remains as compelling as ever to the nation’s best players.
“Marcus is a special talent, the kind of player you build a program around,” Calipari said in a statement released by the university. “When we sit down with recruits, we don’t promise minutes or shots or NBA draft positions. We promise development, opportunity, and a commitment to helping them reach their goals. Marcus believes in that vision, and we’re honored to welcome him to the Big Blue Nation.”
The timing of Thompson’s commitment is particularly noteworthy given the evolving landscape of college basketball. With the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness opportunities reshaping how recruits evaluate programs, the traditional recruiting calendar has become increasingly unpredictable. Thompson’s flip demonstrates that even late changes remain possible in modern college athletics.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer addressed the situation with grace during a brief statement released Thursday afternoon. “We wish Marcus nothing but the best,” Scheyer said. “He was a class act throughout this process, and we understand that these decisions are deeply personal. Our program will continue to build toward our goals, and we’re excited about the young men who have chosen to join us.”
Thompson’s commitment gives Kentucky its second five-star prospect in the 2025 class, joining guard Devin Williams, who committed earlier this fall. Together, they form the foundation of what projects to be one of the most talented freshman classes in the country. With Thompson’s versatility on the wing and Williams’s elite guard play, the Wildcats appear positioned to reload rather than rebuild despite significant roster turnover from last season.
For Kentucky fans, the commitment marks a return to the program’s recruiting dominance that defined much of the 2010s. The Wildcats have produced 14 NBA draft picks since 2010, more than any other college program, and Thompson’s decision suggests that pipeline remains intact. His highlight reels showcase a player capable of playing multiple positions on the offensive end while defending across various roles on defense, a profile that fits perfectly with Calipari’s positionless basketball philosophy.
Thompson will enroll at Kentucky for the spring semester, giving him time to acclimate to the program before the 2025-26 season begins. He is expected to be a immediate contributor for a Wildcats team that will be searching for new star power following the departure of several key players to the professional ranks.
As the early signing period approaches, all eyes will now turn to see if Thompson’s decision triggers any additional movement in the recruiting landscape. In college basketball, one commitment has a way of leading to another, and Kentucky’s momentum could prove difficult for rivals to stop.
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