Tyran Stokes, the consensus No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2026, committed to play for Kansas on Tuesday.
Stokes was deciding between Kansas and Kentucky, and his lengthy recruiting battle was finally resolved with his announcement Tuesday on ESPN’s “NBA Tip-Off.”
“It’s been a long journey. I’m grateful,” Stokes said before donning a pair of sunglasses and revealing a mock-up video game cover with himself in a Jayhawks uniform. “With that being said, I’m taking my talents to … Kansas University.”
Both blue-blood programs were seen as the favorite for Stokes at various points of the season. Stokes opted not to commit during the early signing period in November, when Kentucky was seen as the favorite.
Stokes, a 6-foot-7 forward, joins coach Bill Self at Kansas and follows Darryn Peterson, who is projected to be a top-three pick in June’s NBA draft. Stokes is viewed as a potential No. 1 overall pick in 2027.
Stokes has played for three high schools — Prolific Prep and Notre Dame High School in California, then Rainier Beach High School in Seattle this past season. He dropped 63 points in his senior night game.
The Jayhawks, who went 24-11 last season and lost to St. John’s in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, now have the No. 2 incoming class according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
Stokes joins five-star point guard Taylen Kinney, a trio of four-star commits and three transfers: center Christian Reeves (Charleston), guard Leroy Blyden Jr. (Toledo) and forward Keanu Dawes (Utah). Blyden was the Mid-American Conference’s Rookie of the Year.
