Completed Event: Men's Basketball at Oklahoma State on February 18, 2026 , Win , 81, to, 69
Final
Men's Basketball
81
at Oklahoma State
69
Stokes Signs with Kansas Men’s Basketball
4/29/2026 10:14:00 AM | Men's Basketball
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Tyran Stokes, the consensus No. 1 recruit in the nation, has signed to play men's basketball at Kansas, KU head coach Bill Self announced today. Stokes, who is ranked No. 1 by 247Sports.com, On3.com, and ESPN100, will be a freshman at Kansas in 2026-27.
This marks the second-consecutive No. 1 recruit Kansas has signed, following Darryn Peterson, who averaged 20.2 points per game last season as a freshman. Additionally, Stokes is the fourth No. 1 recruit KU has signed in the last 15 seasons. Other Jayhawks who have signed in the Self era that were top five in the national recruiting rankings include Josh Selby (No. 3 in 2010), Andrew Wiggins (No. 1 in 2013), Cliff Alexander (No. 4 in 2014), Kelly Oubre Jr. (No. 5 in 2014), Cheick Dialo (No. 4 in 2015), and Josh Jackson (No. 1 in 2016).
"Yesterday was a big day for our program, landing the consensus number one player in the 2026 class," Self said. "Tyran is as versatile a youngster that I've ever recruited. He can score and he's a terrific rebounder. He's powerful and can be a great facilitator, and maybe what he does best is pass the basketball. He's had far more exposure to basketball than most kids his age and will come in here with the ability to live up to the lofty expectations that will be placed on him by others.
"Coach (Kurtis) Townsend, once again, did a tremendous job in being the point in recruiting Tyran. We look forward to welcoming him and his mother into our Kansas basketball family."
Stokes a 6-foot-7, 230-pound wing, played last season at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle. In 2025-26, the Louisville, Kentucky, native averaged 31.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 4.0 steals in leading Rainier Beach to a 29-1 record and the Washington 3A state title. In the state quarterfinals, Stokes recorded a triple-double with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in the win against Seattle O'Dea. In the title game he had 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the win against Tacoma Lincoln. Earlier in the season, Stokes scored a career-high 63 points against West Seattle.
Stokes was selected for the 2026 McDonald's All-American game, alongside future teammate Taylen Kinney. Stokes led all players with nine rebounds to go along with 12 points, three assists, and two blocked shots. A week later, Stokes, a Naismith All-America and MaxPreps All-America first team selection, was named the most valuable player at the Jordan Brand Classic where he scored 29 points with eight rebounds, seven assists and three blocked shots for Team Air Boys.
In addition to his outstanding high school career, Stokes has won three gold medals playing for USA Basketball - in 2023 the FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mexico; in 2024 the FIBA U17 World Cup in Turkey; and in 2025 the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland.
Stokes joins Kinney, along with Davion Adkins, Luke Barnett, and guard Trent Perry in the Jayhawk freshman class. Stokes and Kinney are the 57th and 58th Jayhawks to be McDonald's All-American. Additionally, KU has officially signed two transfers who have signed this spring in Leroy Blyden Jr. (Toledo) and Keanu Dawes (Utah).
This marks the second-consecutive No. 1 recruit Kansas has signed, following Darryn Peterson, who averaged 20.2 points per game last season as a freshman. Additionally, Stokes is the fourth No. 1 recruit KU has signed in the last 15 seasons. Other Jayhawks who have signed in the Self era that were top five in the national recruiting rankings include Josh Selby (No. 3 in 2010), Andrew Wiggins (No. 1 in 2013), Cliff Alexander (No. 4 in 2014), Kelly Oubre Jr. (No. 5 in 2014), Cheick Dialo (No. 4 in 2015), and Josh Jackson (No. 1 in 2016).
"Yesterday was a big day for our program, landing the consensus number one player in the 2026 class," Self said. "Tyran is as versatile a youngster that I've ever recruited. He can score and he's a terrific rebounder. He's powerful and can be a great facilitator, and maybe what he does best is pass the basketball. He's had far more exposure to basketball than most kids his age and will come in here with the ability to live up to the lofty expectations that will be placed on him by others.
"Coach (Kurtis) Townsend, once again, did a tremendous job in being the point in recruiting Tyran. We look forward to welcoming him and his mother into our Kansas basketball family."
Stokes a 6-foot-7, 230-pound wing, played last season at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle. In 2025-26, the Louisville, Kentucky, native averaged 31.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 4.0 steals in leading Rainier Beach to a 29-1 record and the Washington 3A state title. In the state quarterfinals, Stokes recorded a triple-double with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in the win against Seattle O'Dea. In the title game he had 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the win against Tacoma Lincoln. Earlier in the season, Stokes scored a career-high 63 points against West Seattle.
Stokes was selected for the 2026 McDonald's All-American game, alongside future teammate Taylen Kinney. Stokes led all players with nine rebounds to go along with 12 points, three assists, and two blocked shots. A week later, Stokes, a Naismith All-America and MaxPreps All-America first team selection, was named the most valuable player at the Jordan Brand Classic where he scored 29 points with eight rebounds, seven assists and three blocked shots for Team Air Boys.
In addition to his outstanding high school career, Stokes has won three gold medals playing for USA Basketball - in 2023 the FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Mexico; in 2024 the FIBA U17 World Cup in Turkey; and in 2025 the FIBA U19 World Cup in Switzerland.
Stokes joins Kinney, along with Davion Adkins, Luke Barnett, and guard Trent Perry in the Jayhawk freshman class. Stokes and Kinney are the 57th and 58th Jayhawks to be McDonald's All-American. Additionally, KU has officially signed two transfers who have signed this spring in Leroy Blyden Jr. (Toledo) and Keanu Dawes (Utah).
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballMen's Basketball NCAA Tournament Second Round Media Availability
Saturday, March 21
Men's Basketball Postgame Press Conference vs. Cal Baptist
Saturday, March 21
Men's Basketball Highlights vs. Cal Baptist
Friday, March 20
Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament First Round Media Availability
Friday, March 20