College basketball’s exhibition slate is already giving scouts something to chew on, and two players with serious 2027 NBA Draft buzz made their case in recent tune-ups.
At Kansas, presumed top pick Tyran Stokes turned in a solid all-around line against Pittsburg State, a Division II opponent. Stokes finished with 14 points, four rebounds, two assists and four turnovers in 18 minutes, shooting 4-of-9 from the floor, 0-of-2 from 3-point range and 6-of-9 at the line.
Projected No. 1 pick Tyran Stokes in an exhibition against Pitt State: 14 PTS | 4-9 FG | 6-9 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 18 MIN pic.twitter.com/aKg567qmsF
The 6-foot-8, 230-pound freshman enters the season with the kind of reputation that follows a player everywhere. Stokes is widely expected to go No. 1 overall in the 2027 NBA Draft, and Derek Parker paired him with the New Orleans Pelicans in his first projection. A former No. 1 overall recruit and the No. 1 small forward in the 2026 class according to 247Sports, Stokes brings the physical tools and athletic profile that have him in that spot.
Illinois also got a strong early look at one of its own draft hopefuls. Freshman guard Keaton Wagler posted 14 points, eight assists, seven rebounds, a steal and three turnovers in 31 minutes against Cincinnati, shooting 5-of-9 from the field, 2-of-4 from 3-point range and 2-of-3 from the free throw line.
Wagler started that exhibition and is expected to stay in the opening five even after fellow draft prospect David Mirkovic returns from a foot injury. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound guard was ranked No. 14 overall and No. 3 among shooting guards in the 2026 recruiting class, and Parker had him going No. 21 to the LA Clippers in his first 2027 mock draft. With a big season, Wagler could push his way into the lottery.
Illinois had more production around Wagler, too. Andrej Stojakovic paced the Fighting Illini with 24 points, plus two assists, two rebounds, a block, a steal and a turnover while going 8-of-15 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line.
Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks added 19 points, two assists, two rebounds and three turnovers, shooting 7-of-13 overall, 2-of-6 from beyond the arc and 3-of-6 from the stripe.
In Other News...
Bill Selfs Early Read On Two Kansas Newcomers Says Plenty
Kansas basketballs late offseason additions were always going to draw extra attention, and the preseason opener offered an early glimpse at how two of them are settling in. Tre White and Melvin Council Jr. both arrived under unusual eligibility circumstances, giving Bill Self a pair of new starters to blend into the lineup on the fly. In the first exhibition, White looked the more polished of the two, scoring 16 points and showing a comfort level that fit the eye test.
Selfs early read also suggested the gap between the newcomers may not be all that surprising. He pointed to differences in how each spent the offseason and made it clear White is further along in his progression right now, while Council had a tougher night. For Kansas, the larger question is how quickly both can get fully up to speed, because the Jayhawks brought them in to help right away and the season will demand that adjustment sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Gets An Early Reality Check From National Voters
Kansas preseason outlook came with a little public humility on Monday, as the Jayhawks landed outside the top tier in the AP Top 25 and settled into a spot that reflects both respect for the program and a reminder of how much work is ahead. The season will begin with an immediate test at Allen Fieldhouse, where Kansas is set to play exhibition games against ranked Louisville and Duke, a fitting early gauge for a roster trying to find its footing before the games start to count.
The challenge does not stop there. Kansas is scheduled to face 10 teams ranked in the preseason top 25 during the season, so the Jayhawks will not have to wait long to find out where they stand nationally. One wrinkle in all of that: former Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn joined the roster after the preseason voting had already wrapped, leaving the poll as only part of the picture for a team that may look a little different once the real evaluation begins. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas Enters Media Days With One Roster Question Fans Can't Ignore
Bill Self heads to Big 12 Conference media days with a roster that already looks very different from the one Kansas fans watched last season. Keanu Dawes, Kohl Rosario and Tyran Stokes are set to join him, while the Jayhawks have also added fifth-year forward Trey Kaufman-Renn through the transfer portal and brought in senior guards Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White as part of a revamped mix of experience and upside.
The big question now is how all of that comes together once the spotlight turns from summer movement to actual rotation decisions. Stokes will draw plenty of attention as one of the faces of the group, but the real intrigue for Kansas is how quickly the newcomers settle in and which pieces Self can trust when the season starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]