July 5, 2023; North Augusta, S.C., USA; Vegas Elite Tyran Stokes (4) look to the sidelines during the Vegas Elite and Boo Williams game at third day of the Peach Jam in Riverview Park Activities Center. Vegas Elite defeated Boo Williams 71-52. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Network Katie Goodale / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kansas Basketball Target Shuts Down Reclass Rumors with Latest Update

Originally posted on Kansas Jayhawks on SI
By Joshua Schulman | Last updated May 18, 2025 12:36 PM ET

For some time, the Kansas Jayhawks were holding out hope that top-ranked 2026 recruit Tyran Stokes would reclassify a year to play college ball next year.

Pairing consecutive No. 1 recruits of their respective class would have made for a delightful two-man punch.

However, any hope that fans left out was officially lost with a recent update.

Stokes made his long-awaited return to AAU basketball after initially announcing he would not play this summer, ruling out any ideas of reclassifying.

2026 5 ⭐️ Tyran Stokes (@tyran_stokes) made his return to grassroots basketball after sitting out Session I of the @NikeEYB

Stokes put up a double-double, finishing with 15 PTS, 12 REB, 3 AST, and 4 STL

Has taken official visits to Kansas and Louisville

Planning on taking… pic.twitter.com/0RjdEftvws
— Alex Karamanos (@KaramanosAlex) May 17, 2025

Although Stokes' mother had previously shot down the rumors in an interview with The Kansas City Star, some people were optimistic that Bill Self would find a way to get a reclassification done.

That no longer appears to be possible.

A 6-foot-7, 245-pound forward, Stokes is regarded as the best player in the Class of 2026. He attends Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California.

The incoming high school senior visited Kansas in April, and the Jayhawks seem to be in a good spot with the young star.

At the EYB level, Stokes plays for the Oakland Soldiers and returned this weekend.

On Saturday, Stokes and the Soldiers lost 87-79 to Team Takeover. Stokes posted a 14-point, 11-rebound, and 6-assist stat line.

Stokes scheduled visits to Kentucky, Gonzaga, Arkansas, and Oregon, though his trip was Lexington was postponed days ago. A final decision is expected sometime this summer.

He may not be playing for the Jayhawks this season, but Stokes is undoubtedly KU's top recruiting target for next year's class.

This article first appeared on Kansas Jayhawks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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