Top-rated basketball prospect Kameron Mercer revealed Thursday that he will attend the University of Cincinnati to play for the Bearcats while also moving up his graduation timeline to join the Class of 2027.
The 6-foot-5 sophomore guard helped guide Princeton High School to an Ohio state title this past season and intends to complete his studies a year ahead of schedule to team up with Cincinnati’s new head coach Jerrod Calhoun.
“I’m looking forward to doubling up work and being ready,” Mercer said on a Zoom call while on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Thursday. “I’ll be supporting the Bearcats from the sideline.”
According to 247Sports rankings, Mercer previously held the No. 16 position nationally in the Class of 2028, but following his reclassification now sits as a four-star prospect at No. 33 overall in the country, third among shooting guards, and second in Ohio for the Class of 2027 based on the 247Sports Composite.
ESPN had previously placed Mercer at No. 7 in the Class of 2028 prior to his grade reclassification and noted that he represents the highest-ranked recruit to choose Cincinnati since their recruiting records began in 2007, marking the program’s first five-star commitment since Lance Stephenson in 2009.
“Growing up in Cincinnati, it means a lot to me to play here,” said Mercer, who also had Ohio State as a finalist.
Cincinnati’s coaching staff initially extended a scholarship offer to Mercer during his eighth-grade year under previous head coach Wes Miller and his assistants. Coach Calhoun renewed that offer, and Mercer returned to campus earlier this month for additional time with the new coaching staff.
“I think our connection grew as soon as I stepped foot on campus,” Mercer said. “(Calhoun) has a little different aura to him. I loved all my other visits, but I think Coach Calhoun, there’s just something about him that I can’t explain. It’s a little different.”
The recruit praised the coaching staff’s direct communication style and genuine approach.
“They genuinely care and they kept it straight with me,” he said. “They didn’t tell me I was just this great player. Just told me what I needed to work on and what I could do from now on to be ready. I love the staff and I know I’ve only known them for maybe a month or a month and a half, but they’re just so real with me. They keep everything real and I love coaches who are straightforward.”
During Princeton’s championship season, Mercer posted averages of 14.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.4 steals per contest. He also earned a gold medal representing the United States Under-16 national team at the 2025 FIBA AmeriCup last summer, contributing 5.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game as a bench player across six contests.
