‘She’s comfortable with her decision.’ Kentucky’s top girls hoops prospect set to commit.

Sunday will deliver a massive commitment in the girls’ high school basketball class of 2025.

ZaKiyah Johnson, the top-ranked prospect in Kentucky and the No. 13 national recruit in her class, is set to announce her college commitment on Sunday afternoon, deciding among finalists Kentucky, Louisville and LSU.

At just 17 years old (and in only three seasons of high school basketball), Johnson has cemented herself as one of the most decorated student-athletes — let alone basketball players — in the history of Kentucky high school athletics. Three KHSAA state championships, three Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year selections and, as of this summer, a gold medal with the Team USA U18 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup roster.

Since her first season with Sacred Heart Academy (2021-22), at the end of which the program won its second consecutive KHSAA state championship, Johnson has paced the Valkyries in scoring. That year, Johnson averaged 17.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game during the team’s 36-3 campaign.

As a sophomore, Johnson averaged 22.5 points and 8.8 rebounds in the Valkyries’ 31-7 season. Again, she got to help hoist a state championship trophy and further separate Sacred Heart as a juggernaut in not only Kentucky basketball, but the national scene.

Last season, which was capped with Johnson’s third — and Sacred Heart’s historic fourth straight — state title, she averaged 18.9 points and 7.2 rebounds during the team’s 31-7 campaign. This year, she’ll step into a new type of leadership role in the wake of stars Angelina Pelayo (now at UNCW) and Reagan Bender (Louisville) graduating.

Sacred Heart basketball coach and athletic director Donna Moir told the Herald-Leader on Friday that Johnson’s maturity and individuality have positioned her as a true leader in the school’s community, both on and off the court.

“I think one of the best things about Z is she’s always stayed true to herself,” Moir said. “And she knows that little eyes are watching her, and what a role model she needs to be. And she’s always aware of that. ... I think she’s ready. I think she’s comfortable with her decision, so I’m happy for her. I think it’ll be a load off her mind, and then she can just focus in on high school basketball and finish her high school career.”

Both Louisville — her first Division I scholarship offer back in seventh grade — and LSU made Johnson’s initial top 12 back in November 2023, and her final six in July. Kentucky, which was actively recruiting Johnson under former head coach Kyra Elzy, did not make either cut. However, new UK head coach Kenny Brooks offered Johnson after his hiring in March, and the Wildcats were thrust into the race for Johnson’s commitment. She has taken official visits to each school this fall.

Coach Jeff Walz and the Cardinals just picked up their first commitment in the 2025 recruiting cycle, 6-foot-4 forward Grace Mbugua out of Danville Christian Academy. Mbugua, a former Liberty University commit, burst onto the national radar in recent years and had a particularly impressive showing in the 2024 KHSAA Sweet 16.

LSU has two pledges in the 2025 class, 5-11 guard Divine Bourrage out of Davenport (Iowa) North High School and 5-9 guard Bella Hines out of Eldorado High School (New Mexico).

The Wildcats have yet to pick up any 2025 commitments.

Johnson is the last of three major in-state prospects in the class of 2025 to declare a college destination. Bethlehem’s Leah Macy (No. 19 nationally) committed to Notre Dame in May, while George Rogers Clark’s Ciara Byars (No. 65) picked Michigan on Oct. 23. The Kentucky high school basketball season begins Dec. 2.

Only 16 of the nation’s top 100 recruits in the 2025 class have not yet announced a college destination. Eight of those players are top-20 prospects.

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