“one of the most respected schools” - 4-star PG Acaden Lewis speaks highly about Mark Pope’s Kentucky following official visit

Acaden Lewis, a highly regarded 4-star point guard, has completed his official visit to the University of Kentucky. He left with high praise for the Wildcats and their new coach, Mark Pope. Lewis is a rising senior at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., and is considered one of the top prospects in the 2025 class.

Lewis' visit to Kentucky has significantly boosted his profile, adding to an impressive tally of 17 offers received in the past two months. On June 18, Lewis received a scholarship offer from the University of Kentucky.

"It’s amazing," he told On3. "Blue blood schools are the top of the top and are very selective, so to receive an offer from a blue blood school specifically known for great guards is a great feeling."

Despite spending only a day in Lexington, Lewis made the most of his visit.

"My visit was good," he shared. "I enjoyed touring the campus, meeting everyone, and just experiencing one of the most respected schools in college basketball ever. The vibes there were intriguing; it seemed like people wanted to be there."

Lewis was particularly impressed with Pope and his staff, appreciating their extensive NBA experience.

"The staff has a unique nature to them and have multiple levels of NBA experience, which is great as learning from pros is always nice," he said.

Kentucky joins an extensive list of schools vying for Lewis's commitment. Other names include North Carolina, UConn, Auburn, Indiana, Alabama, Tennessee, Syracuse, Louisville, Michigan, Georgetown and Virginia.

Rising star Acaden Lewis catches Kentucky's eye after impressive summer

Acaden Lewis, a guard from Washington, D.C., saw his stock rise significantly this summer. Playing for Team Durant in the Nike EYBL circuit, Lewis averaged 15.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game over four sessions.

He continued to impress at the NBPA Top 100 camp, averaging 15.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 3.6 apg. His impressive performances caught the attention of Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff.

Per On3 Industry Rankings, Lewis is the No. 67 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle, the No. 12 point guard prospect, and the No. 2 player in D.C. He has also made official visits to Virginia, Georgetown and Florida State, along with unofficial visits to Virginia Tech and Maryland.

Rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports, Lewis is ranked 59th overall in their composite rankings and as the No. 11 combo guard. Weighing 170 pounds, the guard is poised for a significant jump in the rankings. Mark Pope, who relied heavily on the transfer portal for his 2024 squad, is now focusing on securing top talent for his 2025 class.