Kam Mercer, the 6-foot-5, five-star guard who just powered Princeton High to its first boys basketball state title, is staying home. On Thursday, Mercer announced that he has given a verbal commitment to play at the University of Cincinnati and will reclassify into the 2027 class. The move is an instant jolt for new UC coach Jerrod Calhoun and turns the Bearcats into a hometown destination for one of the nation's elite prospects. Mercer capped a breakout year as a steady two-way force during Princeton's 25-3 run.
The commitment was first reported by WCPO, which reports that Mercer and his family visited UC on May 5, sat down for a film session with Calhoun and accepted a scholarship offer that same day. Mercer's father, Craig Mercer, described the visit as "Great staff - great visit," and the guard quietly swapped his social profiles into Bearcats colors before going public. WCPO also notes that Mercer will move up from the 2028 class to 2027 and details the slate of high-major programs that chased him.
ESPN's recruiting profile now has Mercer listed as "Committed" to Cincinnati and ranks him as the No. 7 player nationally in the class of 2028. The page, updated May 21, offers independent confirmation of his pledge and his standing among the country's top prospects.
National Pedigree And Big-Name Suitors
Sports Illustrated's Bearcats coverage, citing 247Sports' composite rankings, has highlighted Mercer as one of the premier shooting guards in his class. He drew scholarship attention from a long list of heavyweights, including Florida State, Maryland, Missouri, NC State, Ohio State, Villanova, and Xavier, according to WCPO. For Cincinnati, securing a five-star talent from just up the road stands out as one of the most significant home-grown commitments in recent memory.
From Overtime Elite To A State Championship
Before his splash at Princeton, Mercer spent time with Overtime Elite, the experimental pro-style prep league that has become a magnet for blue-chip recruits. He returned to the Cincinnati area and quickly became a central piece of a Princeton squad that steamrolled Hilliard Bradley 59-28 to capture the Division I state crown in Dayton, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch. Regional box scores and roundups show Mercer averaging roughly 14.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.4 steals this season. He also arrives with international chops, having helped the USA U16 team win gold at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup, a credential noted by On3.
What Comes Next For Mercer And UC
Mercer is already active in the name, image, and likeness world. His official site lists partnerships with brands such as Bose and Panini America, and a move to Cincinnati figures to amplify his profile with local businesses. Between spring and summer camps, possible national-team duties, and the logistics of reclassifying, his short-term calendar is crowded. Over the coming weeks, his academic path and how he will slot into the Bearcats' 2027 roster picture are expected to come into sharper focus.
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