Louisville basketball is currently making a push for 5-star Bruce Branch III after the former 2027 5-star and No. 1 overall recruit in the nation reclassified to 2026. The Cardinals were seen at his game earlier this month and are trying to earn their second commitment in the 2026 class and their first commitment from a high school recruit.
Outside of Branch, the Cardinals fans are beginning to grow interest in Christian Collins, another 5-star and top 10 recruit in the 2026 class. Collins had his list down to three schools in Kentucky, USC, and UCLA, but a few days ago, the 5-star completely reopened his recruitment, and the fans are hoping the Cards make a push for the coveted power forward.
2026 top Kentucky target Christian Collins has officially reopened his recruitment, his mother confirmed to Kentucky Wildcats on SI
— Wyatt Huff (@Wildcat_wave) December 18, 2025
Collins was previously down to a top three of Kentucky, USC and UCLA. More on the situation:https://t.co/a5L4YLYZuF pic.twitter.com/ktp9n1ycPK
5-star target reopens his recruitment
Collins is one of the top recruits in the 2026 class, ranked No. 9 in the nation and No. 2 among power forwards in this elite class. He received over 23 offers, including Louisville's, which was in January 2025.
Louisville fans are interested in Collins for many reasons, but a major reason is to try to swipe him from Kentucky. The Wildcats were once a frontrunner for Collins, and the Wildcat fans thought they were finally going to get a commitment in the 2026 class, but now that Collins is opening his recruitment, it certainly feels like Mark Pope might miss again.
Collins has had a massive senior season as his stat line reads 25.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. It hasn't been reported that the Cardinals contacted the 5-star since he reopened his recruitment.
The Cardinals and Wildcats have had similar luck in the 2026 recruiting class, as both programs have landed many top recruits in the top 5 and top 8, but neither team has been able to get the ink on paper. Louisville, of course, has one commitment in the class from the NBA G League, London Johnson, but hasn't received a commitment from a high school recruit.
The Cards are interested in many recruits who haven't committed yet, but they don't have much of a lead on any of them. However, if Louisville can make noise with a player like Branch or Collins, then it would be a massive splash and skyrocket this 2026 recruiting class.
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.