Landing a five-star recruit is like hitting a deep three at the buzzer—you need skill, strategy, and sometimes a little luck. Mark Pope knows this all too well as he battles against college basketball’s biggest powerhouses for the signature of Nate Ament. Kentucky is making a late push, but as the fan pledges roll in and the stakes rise, they’re still trailing by $35,295 behind their ACC rivals. With April 1st looming as the likely commitment date, the clock is ticking. Can Pope pull off a comeback, or will Kentucky fall short in the final stretch?

According to Fan Stakes, ACC giants Louisville leads the race with $71,835 pledged, while Kentucky sits at $38,165. The financial battle for Ament’s commitment is being waged in the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era, where fan support can tip the scales. Just earlier this year, Louisville fans raised $29,510, prompting one of my readers to joke, “$30,000? LOL Mark Cuban and IU be like ‘HOLD MY BUD LIGHT!’” But now, with Indiana seemingly out of the picture and the competition narrowing, the numbers speak volumes about where the priorities lie.

Ament, the last uncommitted top-five recruit in the 2025 class, has seen his value skyrocket. His peers have already locked in their futures—No. 1 prospect AJ Dybantsa secured a staggering $7 million NIL deal with BYU, while others landed at Kansas, Duke, and Arkansas. That leaves five schools still in contention for Ament: Arkansas, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, and Tennessee.

John Calipari’s presence looms large over both Arkansas and Kentucky. As Kentucky’s former coach, he had already begun recruiting Ament, even pitching the program to his family. Meanwhile, Duke’s stacked roster—including top-ranked Flagg and ESPN’s No. 3 player Cameron Boozer—positions them as a dominant force in NCAA basketball and hence a better destination. With a probable No. 1 seed in the tournament, Duke is offering Ament a shot at immediate championship contention.

Louisville’s strategy, however, is clear: raise more money. Their fanbase has been relentless in their efforts to outbid the competition. Tennessee, meanwhile, has hosted Ament multiple times, including an official visit on October 19th, but they remain a dark horse. If they want to stay in the conversation, they’ll need to up their game.

Mark Pope’s late push: Can Kentucky close the gap for Nate Ament?

Kentucky is playing from behind but making up ground. Ament’s recent comments on The Youngins Sports Podcast highlight what’s working in Pope’s favor: “Actually just came back from a visit there. Coach Pope is a high-character coach. Not just talking about X’s and O’s you know as a person. He’s a high-character guy. That’s something you like to see as a player. Also, his offense is one of the best in the nation. He gets up and down the floor and shoots the three really well. Seeing that as a versatile player who does all of those things is very tempting for sure.”

It’s clear Ament is intrigued by Pope’s system, one that aligns with his skill set. Kentucky’s fast-paced, three-point-heavy offense is an attractive fit for a player with Ament’s versatility. But the Wildcats are still chasing Louisville in the NIL game, and as commitment day approaches, every dollar and every pitch matters.

Kentucky’s pursuit of Nate Ament isn’t just about landing a five-star recruit—it’s about filling a crucial gap before it’s too late. With Jaxon Robinson and Lamont Butler—both key transfers from BYU and San Diego State—potentially declaring for the NBA Draft, the Wildcats are staring at a roster shake-up. Butler, who previously withdrew from the 2023 Draft, and Robinson, who did the same in 2024, are running out of eligibility, making their departures more likely. Losing both would leave Kentucky with a significant hole to fill, making Ament’s recruitment a top priority. But with Louisville outpacing them in NIL, Kentucky has to move fast.

If Pope can close the gap, this could be a defining moment in his tenure at Kentucky. If not, the Wildcats will be left scrambling for a power forward in the transfer portal. The final buzzer hasn’t sounded yet, but Pope and Kentucky need a game-winning play—and fast.