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Major Kansas Basketball Recruit Reacts to Bill Self’s Return

Originally posted on Heartland College Sports
By Conner Becker | Last updated Apr 2, 2026 10:56 AM ET

The news of Bill Self‘s return to Kansas for a 24th season solicited a reaction from one of the program’s biggest names on the recruiting trail, Tyran Stokes.

The 6-foot-7 small forward from Seattle, Washington, took to X shortly after Self announced his return to the team’s official page. It’s a short message – containing no words whatsoever – but one that’s quite obviously geared toward the Self news and what that means for the Jayhawks next season.

— tyran stokes (@tyran_stokes) April 1, 2026

Self and Kansas have pursued Stokes hard, but the five-star recruit’s future met ice as concerns around the coach’s retirement loomed following a narrow, 67-65 loss to St. John’s in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in San Diego last month. Stokes visited Lawrence earlier this year.

In fighting off the likes of Kentucky and Oregon, Kansas might just be able to lock down Stokes with the news of Self’s return for another season. He’d be the second small forward to commit to the Jayhawks – the other being four-star Branson, Missouri, native Trent Perry – and the fifth from the Class of 2026.

It’s unclear yet how many eligible players will return to Kansas, but that short list could include forward Bryson Tiller and/or center Paul Mbiya.

This article first appeared on Heartland College Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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