Tyran Stokes Drops 52, Recruitment Still Wide Open as Top Programs Stay in Pursuit
The recruitment saga surrounding Tyran Stokes-the No. 1 high school basketball player in the country-just got another twist. Once seen as a near lock for Kentucky, the 6-foot-7, 225-pound wing has yet to make a commitment, and the door is still wide open for other programs to make their case.
And make no mistake-schools are absolutely still trying.
Kentucky hasn’t backed off in the slightest. In fact, assistant coach Jason Hart made the cross-country trip to Seattle this week to watch Stokes put on a show for Rainier Beach High School.
And “show” might be underselling it. Stokes exploded for 52 points, hitting eight threes, while also grabbing 11 rebounds, dishing out four assists, swiping three steals, and swatting two shots in a dominant 100-72 win over Seattle Prep.
That kind of stat line doesn’t just turn heads-it demands attention. And Hart wasn’t the only one watching.
Washington assistant Quincy Pondexter was seated right next to him, signaling that the Huskies are now officially in the mix. That’s a late but notable entry for a player who, as recently as November, had narrowed his list to three: Kentucky, Kansas, and Oregon. Even Vanderbilt has entered the conversation, extending an offer last week despite not being on the final list.
Kansas, for its part, has stayed active in Stokes’ recruitment and had staff in the building for one of his games last week. The Jayhawks have been gaining momentum, even with Kentucky’s Nike affiliation theoretically giving them an edge for the Nike-sponsored Stokes. But momentum is a tricky thing in recruiting, and right now, it feels like we’re watching a reset in real time.
Stokes’ move to Rainier Beach has only amplified his spotlight. Since transferring from Notre Dame High School (CA) in early November, he’s averaging 32 points per game and leading his new squad to a perfect 5-0 start. The fit looks seamless, and his production backs up the hype.
What’s clear is that despite Kentucky’s early lead, this recruitment is far from over. Hart’s trip to Seattle is a strong signal that Mark Pope and his staff still believe they can land their first top-10 prospect of the new era in Lexington. But with other schools circling-and Stokes continuing to dominate on the court-this race is heating up fast.
Keep an eye on the visit schedule. That’ll tell us more than any social media post or highlight reel. For now, though, Stokes’ recruitment remains one of the most compelling storylines in high school hoops-and he’s giving everyone plenty of reasons to keep watching.