After what has felt like years of waiting, 5-star small forward Tyran Stokes has finally made his college decision.
And if you're in Lawrence and you're hearing cheers from Bill Self's office, it's because the nation's No. 1 player just announced he's going to be playing his college ball at Kansas. Yup, while on with the Inside The NBA cast, Stokes announced to the world that he was committing to KU.
Stokes was originally down to three schools, but news broke late that Oregon had pulled out of the race. So, what helped send things over the top for Kansas in the head-to-head battle with Mark Pope and Kentucky? Stokes' explanation has made this breaking news even better, as he wasted no time in showing Self a ton of love, while also sending a special message to the fanbase:
Here’s Tyran Stokes picking Kansas pic.twitter.com/GpFeuVeigl
— Aint No Seats Podcast (@AintNoSeatsPod) April 28, 2026
Tyran Stokes picking Kansas is a season-changing win for Bill Self and his staff
"Coach Bill Self - a great coach," Stokes said live on ESPN. "A great person. You know, he's been there from the beginning. He's always fed into me and given me great advice through the entire process. I just want to say thank you to the university, and to Rock Chalk nation for just giving me the opportunity to go to Allen Fieldhouse and leaving my mark. I'm ready to go put on a show."
Anyone else extra fired up after seeing those words from Stokes? You can tell just how close things were for him, but in the end, the 5-star playmaker knew in his heart that he belonged at Kansas. It's safe to say that Self's recruiting efforts paid off big time here as well.
For as long as we can remember, the Jayhawks made Stokes feel like a top priority. That wasn't a surprise, as he's indeed the top-rated kid for the 2026 class and a walking bucket. Get the ball in Stokes' hands and he'll be ready to make magic happen for you.
That's what Self and his coaches are ready to see next season, Stokes spent the 2025-26 campaign in Seattle, putting on a show for local powerhouse Rainier Beach. Stokes wasn't in the 206 for the long haul, but he had hoops fans pumped up all year long, helping Beach win a state title.
Now, he's all set to get his college career going in the near future, and he'll be taking his talents to the Big 12 instead of the SEC. This truly is a remarkable get for the Jayhawks and Self, adding to what's already a loaded roster for next season. Stokes will be ready to live up to the hype too.
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