No. 1 2026 prospect Tyran Stokes commits to Kansas, speaks highly of Bill Self: ‘He’s been there from the beginning’

No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes has made his college decision.

Stokes announced Tuesday on ESPN’s “NBA Tip-Off” that he’s heading to Kansas. He is the top recruit in Rivals’ 2026 high school rankings and the only player in the top 40 who had not announced where he would play next season.

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Stokes chose the Jayhawks over the Kentucky Wildcats. The Oregon Ducks were also in his final three.

Stokes made his announcement while surrounded by the “Inside the NBA” crew, including Kenny Smith, whose AAU team Stokes starred for during his meteoric rise.

“Coach Bill Self,” Stokes said, “great coach, great person. He’s been there from the beginning. He’s always fed into me. [Self] gave me great advice through the entire process. I just want to say thank you to the university, Rock Chalk Nation, just giving me the opportunity to go into Allen Fieldhouse and just leave my mark.

“I’m ready to go put on a show.”

Stokes’ decision is a massive boost for a Kansas team that will look very, very different in 2026-27 after Self said he would be return for another season.

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With Darryn Peterson a likely top-three pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Kansas has also lost center Flory Bidunga to the transfer portal along with eight other players. In addition to Bidunga, players like Bryson Tiller, Elmarko Jackson and Jamari McDowell have also transferred. With Tre White and Melvin Council’s eligibility exhausted, Kansas’ top returning scorer is Kohl Rosario. He averaged 3.4 points per game as a freshman in 2025-26.

Though the Jayhawks have added center Christian Reeves from Charleston, Toledo guard Leroy Blyden Jr. and Utah forward Keanu Dawes, Stokes will assume a role similar to the one Peterson occupied a season ago when healthy. Kansas’ offense should revolve around him.

The 6-foot-7 Stokes is a different player than Peterson, however. Peterson could be a lethal 3-point shooter and Stokes will have to show he can stretch the floor. But he’s a versatile wing who…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/breaking-news/article/no-1-2026-prospect-tyran-stokes-commits-to-kansas-speaks-highly-of-bill-self-hes-been-there-from-the-beginning-224854207.html

Author : Nick Bromberg

Publish date : 2026-04-28 22:48:00

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