Kansas' star freshman Tyran Stokes has been dubbed the potential No. 1 overall pick for the 2027 NBA Draft for quite some time, and he has only played one regular-season game so far. Stokes came to Lawrence as the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2027 and now he simply has to prove why he deserved that spot.
Stokes had a solid outing in the Jayhawks' first game vs. Fordham on Monday night, but the real test will come when Kansas isn't simply playing non-conference cupcake games. With that performance, though, it apparently is never too early to start looking ahead at the 2027 NBA Draft, and Stokes is still holding on to that No. 1 projection, according to NBA Draft analyst Jeremy Woo.
It's time for an initial look at the 2027 NBA draft prospects 🏀👀@JeremyWoo's full top 100 big board for the 2027 class here: https://t.co/jD6kLwnICB pic.twitter.com/PEfUqZcClH
— ESPN (@espn) November 5, 2026
Stokes looks to be following the same path that former Kansas Jayhawk and No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2025, Darryn Peterson, was on early in his career in Lawrence. Even though their paths look similar, Stokes seems to be in a better position to earn that No. 1 slot that Peterson ultimately wasn't able to hold onto when the draft rolled around.
It was all on Darryn Peterson at Kansas while Tyran Stokes has a lot more help around him
Peterson was expected to come to Kansas, put the team on his back, and go win a National Championship. That is a lot for a young freshman coming in to play college basketball for the first time, and while Bill Self is one of the best coaches to ever do it, it was a lot to ask of his five-star recruit.
It's not like there wasn't barely any talent on that team, but Peterson was really looked at to carry the load for a Jayhawks team that was not as strong as it had been in the past. When looking at Stokes, it feels like the roster built around him is meant to help him out more than put it all on his shoulders.
Initially, it didn't look like that would be the case for Stokes, especially during the offseason before the late veteran additions to the roster. Now that Kansas brought back Melvin Council Jr. and Tre White, along with the new addition of Trey Kaufman-Renn, it doesn't feel like Stokes had to be the savior of this team, but simply go out and play basketball at the level we all know he can.
Peterson didn't have that luxury. Council was a new transfer, still learning the ropes. Flory Bidunga was a sophomore stepping into a larger role, figuring out how to shoulder the load of being the main big on the court. White was also a new transfer coming to Self's team and adapting to a new squad. Then there was a constant rotation of who the fifth starter would be with the Jayhawks.
Stokes has the luxury of an experienced Council and White in the starting lineup, and soon-to-be starter Kaufman-Renn around him, with the fifth starter being a rotation of fellow freshman Taylen Kinney or transfers Leroy Blyden Jr., Christian Reeves, or Keanu Dawes.
So, when comparing the path of Stokes to Peterson's when it comes to earning the No. 1 pick, Stokes has it a bit easier with the talent around him. Pressure makes diamonds, but not in the case of Peterson, who simply cracked under the pressure and lost that top spot.
Add us as a preferred source on Google