The Kansas basketball team already has a loaded recruiting class for next year, but adding the top-ranked recruit would make it the best class in the nation and one of the Jayhawks' best.
Small forward Tyran Stokes narrowed his choices to two schools—Kansas and Arkansas. It's amazing that KU is still in the running considering that Stokes signed an NIL deal last fall with Nike. Kentucky is a Nike-sponsored school, while Kansas is, of course, tied to Adidas.
Ericka Brockish wrote on Through the Phog on Wednesday that Kentucky's key recruiter left that school for SMU and postulated that now maybe Kansas had the edge.
Would a chance to coach Tyran Stokes keep Bill Self on the sidelines at least one more year?
Kansas head coach Bill Self has taken some time after the heartbreaking, last-second loss to St. John's on Sunday to decide his immediate future. While there have been health concerns in the past, it seems Self has put those behind him. No one sane wants Self to leave, unless health is a concern.
Self was clear on Wednesday that no retirement announcement was imminent when he spoke to Gary Bedore of the Kansas City Star. Bedore is a trusted source, so his word carries weight.
Bill Self tells me as of now there is no news to report regarding his decision. In fact he told me "b.s., bad info" referring to some comments out there. That's as of now from the head coach.
— Gary Bedore (@GaryBedore) March 25, 2026
The incoming class of point guard Taylen Kinney, center Davion Adkins, shooting guard Trent Perry, and shooting guard Luke Barnett is terrific, and Stokes seems like a nice fit with that group. Self has to be excited to work with these young men, whether Stokes comes to Kansas or not.
If he stays at KU, Self has a talented group of returning players that includes Flory Bidunga, Bryson Tiller, Kohl Rosario, Paul Mbiya, Elmarko Jackson, Jamari McDowell, Samis Calderon, and Corbin Allen.
If Self can get Stokes and convince those eight players to all come back, he wouldn't even need to wade into the transfer portal. He'd have a full roster and no seniors. That is easier said than done.
There hasn't been any word out of the program about transfer or NBA plans. Bidunga will probably test the NBA waters but most likely needs another season at Kansas to continue his impressive improvement arc.
That potential roster would give Self an athletic, well-rounded, homegrown group that he could certainly work some magic on. KU would be a top 10 team, if not top 5. There would be depth at every position and a lot of upside across the board.
However great this might sound, it is unrealistic to think Self can keep all of his returning players at Kansas. It would be terrific to see them develop and contribute this season and beyond.
Still, the roster is good enough that it seems likely Self will want to be on the sidelines and be a part of their success. Adding Stokes seems like extra gravy on a tasty country-fried steak. He's only going to make a great roster better.
Self is going to want to be a part of this team next. Hopefully, Tyan Stokes wants to be, too.
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