Kansas and Bill Self landed a huge recruiting win on Tuesday with the commitment of Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 ranked high school basketball player in the country. The recruitment battle for Stokes came down a couple of teams in Kansas, Oregon and Kentucky with the Jayhawks winning out in the end. Stokes is also a projected lottery pick whenever he ends up declaring for the NBA Draft.
Kansas landing the commitment of Tyran Stokes now makes it back-to-back years that the Jayhawks have landed arguably the top high school player in the country. While Stokes is universally considered 2026’s top player, Darryn Peterson was alongside AJ Dybantsa for the top honors.
Albeit different players, Stokes’ arrival will help negate the loss of Peterson who declared for the NBA Draft. Peterson is expected to be in the running for the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft.
A native of Kentucky, Stokes began his senior year of high school at Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks, CA before transferring to Rainer Beach High School in Seattle, WA. He was recently named a McDonalds’ All-American and was also the top standout at the annual Jordan Brand Classic.
His commitment gives the Jayhawks five incoming freshman for the 2026-27 season. In addition to Stokes, Kansas also landed commitments from center Davion Adkins, forward Trent Perry, guard Luke Barnett and guard Taylen Kinney.
The Jayhawks are coming off a season in which they went 24-11 and 12-6 in Big 12 Conference play, and reached the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament. This upcoming year will also be Bill Self’s 24th year at helm as head coach.
Kansas and Bill Self landed a huge recruiting win on Tuesday with the commitment of Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 ranked high school basketball player in the country. The recruitment battle for Stokes came down a couple of teams in Kansas, Oregon and Kentucky with the Jayhawks winning out in the end.