Many Kansas basketball fans are counting on top-ranked incoming freshman Darryn Peterson to change the Jayhawks' fortunes after consecutive disappointing seasons. Head coach Bill Self has been tasked with building a more cohesive roster around the potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he is practically starting from scratch.
While KU has relied on transfers more than homegrown talent in recent years, the Jayhawks suddenly have their eyes on another young phenom. According to multiple reports, Tyran Stokes, the most highly touted player in the 2026 high school class, will visit campus this weekend for an official visit.
Kansas will host the top player in the 2026 class, Tyran Stokes, on a visit this weekend, source confirmed to @TheFieldOf68.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 15, 2025
Stokes is a skilled and athletic 6-7, 240-pound forward who could make an immediate impact if he opts to reclassify.
Stokes is a Louisville native.
Tyran Stokes visiting Kansas for official visit
Stokes was long considered a lock to Louisville or Kentucky to stay in the state he was raised in. But in an unexpected turn of events, he is now considering the Jayhawks as well.
A 6-foot-7, 245-pound forward, Stokes attends Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks, California. He is currently a junior and a member of the 2026 class, but many outlets have reported that he may reclassify, despite his assertion that he would not. If Stokes were to hypothetically reclassify, he could potentially join Peterson to form the best freshman duo the program has ever seen.
On3.com's Jamie Shaw provided an in-depth scouting report of Stokes' game after watching him earlier this year.
“One look at Tyran Stokes and you see a physically imposing player. Not only does he carry optimal positional size, in the 6-foot-7 range, but he also has a strong frame, with broad shoulders, and great length. Stokes can play either forward spot defensively and is most comfortable facing the basket on offense. While Stokes is big, his physical attributes – length and explosive burst – allow him to play bigger than he is listed. When Stokes turns on his alpha switch, this makes him a load for any high school player to attempt to contain. Where a good bit of Stokes’ production comes is in transition, where he shows a lot of instincts."
Keep an eye out on Stokes' recruitment and how the visit goes.