The top prospect in the 2026 recruiting class and favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NBA Draft, Tyran Stokes, has decided where he’ll play in college this upcoming season. 

Stokes revealed live on ESPN’s “NBA Tip-Off” on Tuesday that he will be playing for Kansas during the 2026-27 season, using a mockup of the NBA 2K video game cover to announce the decision. 

“It’s been a long journey, I’m grateful,” Stokes said before the dramatic reveal, “with that being said, I’m taking my talents to the University of Kansas.”

Stokes chose Kansas over the likes of Kentucky and Oregon.

It marked the second consecutive year that Jayhawks head coach Bill Self was able to bring in the No. 1-ranked high school player in the country to the program after getting Darryn Peterson last season.

Kansas now also has the No. 2-ranked recruiting class in the country, according to ESPN. 

It is a big win for Kansas, which has not advanced to the Sweet 16 in four consecutive seasons.

The addition comes after the program added Leroy Blyden Jr., Keanu Dawes and Christian Reeves through the transfer portal. 

“Coach Bill Self, great coach. Great person,” Stokes said. “He’s been there from the beginning. … He’s always gave me great advice during the entire process. I just want to say thank you to the university. Rock Chalk nation just giving me the opportunity to go into Allen Fieldhouse and leave my mark. I’m ready to go put on a show and the time is near.” 

Stokes started catching the eye of people in the basketball world while he was playing with USA Basketball and on the Nike EYBL circuit. 

He played his senior season of high school basketball at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle and led it to a state championship. 

Stokes won gold with USA Basketball at the FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in 2023, the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in 2024 and the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup in 2025.