Kentucky Basketball contacts Russian center Gleb Firsov

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - 2026/03/10: Gleb Firsov (61) of Betcity Parma in action during the VTB United League basketball match, Regular Season, between Zenit Saint Petersburg and Betcity Parma Perm Region at "kck Arena", in the Saint Petersburg, Russia. Final score; Zenit 74:64 Betcity Parma. (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) The talk of BBN at the moment is the NBA Draft decision from Malachi Moreno.

Will he stay in, or will he return to Lexington? That is a question we are still weeks away from answering, but at the moment, it seems like it could be close to a coin flip. What happens if he does stay in the Draft?

Well, that is where it appears the staff is turning its recruiting focus at the moment, too. According to a report by Tristan Pharis, Kentucky has reached out to Russian big man Gleb Firsov. Playing for Parma Perm in the top Russian basketball league, Firsov fits the mold that we have seen the staff target this offseason in International players, especially as they look to potentially add depth if Moreno stays in the NBA Draft.

At 6-foot-10, Firsov brings good size and seemingly thrives in playing off the roll in the offense. Especially at 21 years old, it appears he would be able to handle the physicality of the SEC as well. Will this be a contingency plan, or will they look to add Firsov no matter Moreno’s decision?