7-foot-5 center Cherif Millogo commits to Kentucky over UNC and Texas
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The gist
Five-star center Cherif Millogo, a 7-foot-5 recruit from Burkina Faso, committed to Kentucky over UNC and Texas.
He is coach Mark Pope's highest-ranked recruit and Kentucky's second 2027 pledge.
Background
Cherif Millogo is a 7-foot-5, 250-pound five-star center in the class of 2027, originally from Burkina Faso in West Africa and playing for St. Francis in La Cañada Flintridge, California. He previously attended Cambridge ATS in Massachusetts but sat out the 2024-25 season after tearing his ACL, then averaged 26 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks per game last season for St. Francis. His guardian and agent is Luc Mbah a Moute, a former UCLA star and longtime NBA player. He becomes Kentucky's second commitment in the 2027 class, joining four-star shooting guard Ryan Hampton, and the highest-ranked recruit yet for Wildcats head coach Mark Pope.
How it unfolded
- Oct 9, 2026Millogo took a surprise visit to Lexington; shortly after, Kentucky announced the hiring of former NBA Academy Africa coach Alfred Aboya, who had previously worked with Millogo.
- Oct 10, 2026Millogo took his first official visit to Lexington.
- Oct 26, 2026On3 recruiting expert Joe Tipton logged a prediction in favor of Kentucky landing Millogo.
- Oct 28, 2026Millogo made an official visit to BYU.
- Oct 31, 2026Millogo made an official visit to USC.
- Nov 2, 2026Tipton wrote that Kentucky had held its lead after the USC and BYU visits, saying he would be surprised to see Millogo play anywhere other than Kentucky. In the updated 2027 Rivals150, Millogo moved from No. 30 to No. 11 overall, becoming the No. 2 center in the class.
- Nov 4, 2026Millogo announced his commitment to Kentucky over offers from UNC, Texas and others.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- On3 recruiting expert Joe Tipton said after the USC and BYU visits that he would be surprised to see Millogo play college basketball anywhere other than Kentucky.
- Player
- Millogo has said his favorite player is Kevin Durant, that he started playing basketball because of him, and that he is trying to play more inside and outside.
Still unverified
Millogo's ranking varies widely by outlet: ESPN lists him No. 8 overall and a five-star, while 247Sports has him at No. 44 with a composite of No. 36; other reports list him as the No. 6 center in 247Sports' composite and as a four-star at Rivals and 247Sports (No. 45 overall).