Former Kansas assistant Norm Roberts sees a familiar NBA name when he looks at Tyran Stokes.
Stokes, the incoming freshman from Rainier Beach High School, is already carrying the kind of buzz that usually comes with a future lottery pick. Kansas is expected to put the offense in his hands during the 2026-27 season, and the 6-foot-7, 240-pound forward will be trying to boost his draft stock while doing it. He brings size, versatility and a frame that looks ready for the next level.
On a recent episode of the Field of 68 Podcast with Jeff Goodman and Rob Dauster, Roberts was asked which modern NBA player Stokes resembles most. His answer landed on one of the league’s elite wings.
"A Kawhi Leonard-type guy, I'm talking about in college," Roberts stated. "Kawhi wasn't a big-time 3-point shooter but could get to mid-range, could affect the game defensively with his length and strength.
"You could play him in different ways," he continued. "I think Coach [Self] does a great job of that. He's going to utilize him, he's going to have him bringing the ball up as a point guard, he's going to be coming off ball screens."
Roberts, who spent 2012 to 2025 on Bill Self’s staff before retiring, also made it clear he is not drawing a full comparison between Stokes and Leonard as people. He said Stokes still has a lot of "growing up to do." That tracks with the reputation Stokes has carried, since his fiery approach has led some pro scouts to question his maturity.
Because Roberts was on the staff when Kansas first started recruiting Stokes, he has seen the talent up close. The bigger issue for this Jayhawks team, though, is how the rest of the roster fits around him and whether the California native can thrive with that support.
Stokes has drawn other NBA comparisons before, too. Scouting outlets have likened him to Cade Cunningham, Scottie Barnes and others, a reflection of the point-forward mold he fits and the way that role has taken off at the next level.
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