The battle for 2026 basketball prospect Josh Irving is intensifying. USC head coach Eric Musselman has made the 6’11”, 200-pound forward from Pasadena High School (CA) a key priority, pursuing him for several months.
Musselman, recognized for rebuilding lineups through prep recruits and the transfer portal, may now be losing ground. Kentucky has entered the picture for the four-star center, scheduling his official visit in October.
Josh Irving’s Recruitment Heats Up As Eric Musselman Battles Kentucky
The chase for 2026 center Josh Irving has become one of the more competitive storylines of the early recruiting cycle. Musselman has long been active in recruiting the Pasadena (CA) High standout, but Kentucky is now positioning itself as a real threat.
Irving, listed at 6’11” and 200 pounds, has steadily climbed into national attention after being viewed as a “top-50 or 60-type prospect” by On3 and Rivals since October of last year, according to On3’s Jamie Shaw.
Currently ranked No. 40 in the Rivals 150, Irving’s stock rose sharply during the June and July live evaluation windows. Shaw noted that the late-blooming center, born in March 2008, saw his recruitment surge when “programs like Kansas, Kentucky, and Texas A&M jumped into the mix.”
USC was among the first programs to prioritize him, but new contenders have since created fresh competition.
“While it was USC that did a lot of the early leg work, sources are suggesting that the newcomers to the recruitment have opened Irving’s eyes,” Shaw reported.
Irving’s upcoming official visit slate underscores the breadth of his options. He is set to travel to San Diego State on Aug. 21, SMU on Aug. 28, Kansas on Sept. 12, Louisville on Sept. 19, Texas A&M on Sept. 27, Kentucky on Oct. 10, and USC on Oct. 17. Those stops will provide him an opportunity to weigh a range of programs across multiple conferences.
𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦: Josh Irving, the No. 101 overall recruit in the national 2026 class, has scheduled the following official visits – per his agent Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports & Entertainment:
𝐕𝐈𝐏 https://t.co/fKPAl9bssP pic.twitter.com/ZNP8w5QPAl
— Brandon Jenkins (@BJenkins247) July 31, 2025
Kentucky’s entry into the battle has generated particular interest. Observers point to Kentucky’s ability to both develop and showcase big men at the college and professional levels as a potential draw for Irving.
For Musselman, who has built a reputation for aggressively reshaping rosters through both prep prospects and the transfer portal, the fight for Irving represents both a challenge and a test of persistence. USC invested early in the recruitment, but Kentucky’s involvement, along with schools like Kansas and Texas A&M, threatens to undercut that head start.
Shaw’s outlook on the race is clear: “Prediction: Texas A&M or Kentucky.”
That assessment reflects the growing consensus that Irving’s decision could come down to a choice between the Wildcats’ tradition and the Aggies’ rising momentum.
If Kentucky manages to secure a commitment, it would not only mark an early recruiting win for the 2026 cycle but also reinforce the program’s standing as a national force in attracting elite frontcourt talent.
