Kentucky among schools prioritizing Tyran Stokes the most: "Great program with a great coach"

Let’s start with then when for Tyran Stokes, one of the most physically imposing prospects in all of high school basketball. He could probably suit up in a college basketball game today and produce, certainly next season with the 2025 class. That’s why reclassification questions surfaced in the last year and have grown more persistent in recent months — fans, media and coaches hoping to see the 6-7, 225-pound wing suit up at the next level sooner rather than later.

No need to wait another year when you’ve been playing up (and dominating) with 17Us for two summers now, right? That’s wishful thinking, unfortunately. The five-star prospect sitting at No. 2 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking has made up his mind, firm on his current class.

“Without a doubt staying in 2026,” he told KSR, adding that his focus is on getting better rather than rushing to college.

That’s a statement, patience now necessary with a pretty substantial payoff coming during the 2026-27 season. If he’s already averaging 20.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in 24.8 minutes per contest with 51/40/76 shooting splits on the EYBL circuit now, the sky is the limit with two more seasons of high school ball and another year of AAU coming before he sets foot on a college campus.

That gives schools in contention a longer runway to work with as they fight to land his commitment down the road. And they’re going to need it because talents like Stokes don’t come around every day. His phone has reflected that since the direct contact period opened on June 15.

“It’s definitely been more rowdy because they’re contacting me now, not going through a bunch of other people,” he said. “I get texts and calls directly from the coaches, which can sometimes be a lot.”

Among those pushing the hardest at this stage?

Kentucky, Southern California, Arkansas, Louisville, Kansas, North Carolina and Central Florida are the programs he rattled off quickly, adding “for right now, that’s it, but there are more schools coming.” And of those programs, two head coaches are calling him the most — both blue bloods.

“Kansas, as far as head coaches go. Or Kentucky,” Stokes said.

Kentucky is an interesting one for the Louisville native, his family mostly rocking red around him growing up rather than blue. He promises, though, that the rivalry won’t impact his decision when the time comes.

“They don’t really care. They just want me doing what’s best for me, the best opportunity,” the five-star wing said. “Whatever school I go to, they’re gonna support me regardless — even if it’s the opposite of what they like.”

So what does he know about the Wildcats, especially under a brand-new head coach in Mark Pope? He had a prior relationship with John Calipari and his staff, but what about this next group?

He’s a fan.

“I mean, it’s still close to home and still a great, great program with a great coach,” Stokes said. “Coach Mark (Pope), he’s a great dude. He’s always texting me, catching up and telling me congratulations on the games and stuff like that. For the most part, I’m talking to Coach Mark.”

Pope and his staff were there from day one to open the contact period, Stokes among the first recruits they hit up once the West Coast timezone struck midnight — up till 3 AM ET waiting to call and text.

“It shows that I’m wanted,” he told KSR. “That’s what I want, somewhere I’m wanted and not just needed.”

Kentucky is right in the thick of things, but what about the hometown Cardinals? Can Pat Kelsey secure his first big fish at Louisville, a potentially program-altering get for the Wildcats’ rivals down I-64?

He feels the love, especially from the fanbase.

“I see it everywhere. See it on Twitter, see it on Instagram — fans are the ones pushing it the most,” Stokes said of the hometown hero pitch he hears from the Cards, adding that he typically gets back home for Christmas and a week during the summer. “‘We need to keep him home,’ this that and the third. The coaches, they just want what’s best for me. Even if I don’t go to Louisville, they want whatever is best for me.”

What’s next in his recruitment? Any timeline for visits or even a decision?

“Nah, not at all. I haven’t been too focused on making a decision, just feeling out the coaches and preparing for the next year of high school,” Stokes told KSR. “No talk with coaches about scheduling visits. I’ll have a conversation with my mom and see which couple of schools I could attend and take visits there.”

What is he looking for when that day comes?

“Just somewhere I’m comfortable, somewhere that feels like home and somewhere I can play my game.”