Kameron Mercer is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about names in Ohio high school basketball—and for good reason. The five-star guard, who just helped lead Princeton High School to a state championship, has added another major offer to his growing list: the Cincinnati Bearcats.
On May 5, Mercer announced via social media that new UC head coach Jerrod Calhoun and his staff had extended a scholarship offer. While this marks the first offer from Calhoun's regime, it's not the first time the Bearcats have come calling. Back in October 2024, when Mercer was a freshman at Huntington Expressions Prep in West Virginia, the previous coaching staff under Wes Miller had already made an initial offer. Now, after a campus visit and a standout season, the offer has been officially renewed.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and 200 pounds, Mercer is a versatile shooting guard who has drawn interest from a powerhouse list of programs. Alongside Cincinnati, he's being pursued by Florida State, Georgia State, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina State, Ohio State, UCF, Villanova, and Xavier. That kind of attention doesn't come without serious game.
Mercer's path to Princeton was anything but ordinary. Originally set to play for Overtime Elite in Atlanta, he made the decision to return to Cincinnati and suit up for the Vikings under head coach Bryan Wyant. The move paid off in a big way. Princeton finished the season with a 25-3 record and captured the school's first-ever boys' state basketball title.
On the court, Mercer delivered a stat line that speaks to his all-around impact: 14.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. He ranked third in the Greater Miami Conference in assists and second in steals, averaging 2.4 per contest. His season included a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double against Wayne on March 11, a 27-point explosion against Colerain in January, and a near triple-double against Lima Senior with 14 rebounds, seven points, and seven assists.
Mercer's recruitment has become a family affair. His older brother, Jaylen Mercer, joined him on the Cincinnati visit and posed for photos wearing a Bearcats letterman jacket. Jaylen is a 6-foot-5, 260-pound edge rusher at Princeton, set to graduate in 2027, and is already drawing heavy interest from several Big 12 programs—including the Bearcats, who have also extended him an offer. However, he still has upcoming visits scheduled with Louisville and other programs.
For now, the Mercer brothers are making waves both on the hardwood and the gridiron—and Cincinnati is making sure they're both on the radar.