Top-25 Recruit Acaden Lewis Decommits from Kentucky, Reopens Recruitment

Acaden Lewis, ESPN’s No. 7-ranked point guard in the 2025 class, announced his decommitment from Kentucky on Thursday, leaving a gap in Mark Pope’s roster just months before the season. The 6-foot-2 guard from Sidwell Friends (MD) cited a need to reassess his future, emphasizing no ill will toward the program. “This was an incredibly difficult decision,” Lewis told ESPN, praising Kentucky’s staff and fanbase while acknowledging the uncertainty of his next steps.

Impact on Kentucky’s Roster Lewis’ departure reduces Kentucky’s 2025 high school class to two players: five-star prospects Jasper Johnson (SG) and Malachi Moreno (C). The Wildcats had leaned on Lewis as a backup point guard, leaving Pope to scour the transfer portal for replacements. Kentucky has already secured four transfers this offseason, including Arizona State’s Jayden Quaintance (a top-10 recruit in 2024) and Tulane’s Kam Williams, a versatile 6-foot-8 wing who shot 41.2% from three last season. Analysts suggest Pope may target another shooter, with USC’s Wesley Yates (43.9% from deep) among potential options.

Recruitment Fallout and Future Options Lewis, ranked as high as No. 5 among point guards nationally, initially chose Kentucky over Duke, UConn, and North Carolina. His reversal reignites interest from those programs, with Villanova also emerging as a contender. The decision underscores the volatility of modern recruiting, where elite prospects often weigh immediate playing time against long-term development. Kentucky fans, while disappointed, remain confident in Pope’s portal strategy, which has already bolstered the roster with experienced talent.

Broader Context The move highlights the competitive pressures at blue-blood programs. Kentucky’s aggressive portal approach—ranked second nationally by On3—contrasts with Lewis’ desire for a clearer path to minutes. As Pope balances freshmen and transfers, Lewis’ next destination will test whether his gamble pays off in a crowded 2025 guard market.

Key Takeaways:

• Lewis’ decommitment leaves Kentucky with two 2025 signees (Johnson, Moreno).
• Kentucky’s transfer haul (Quaintance, Williams, Lowe, Dioubate) softens the blow.
• Duke, UConn, and Villanova are likely suitors for Lewis.
• Pope may target another shooter to round out the roster.