Top-Ranked 2026 Prospect Tyran Stokes Sets Kentucky Visit

The race for Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2026, is starting to heat up—and Kentucky is officially in the thick of it.

Stokes, a 6-foot-7, 225-small forward out of Prolific Prep (CA), has scheduled an official visit to Kentucky from May 15-17, his mother told Jacob Polacheck of KSR+. The visit comes on the heels of two others, as Stokes recently made trips to both Kansas and Louisville. Now, with a chance to experience Big Blue Nation firsthand, Kentucky is preparing to roll out the red carpet in hopes of making a lasting impression.

The Wildcats wasted no time offering Stokes a scholarship once Mark Pope was hired as head coach in April. Since then, Pope’s staff—led by assistant coach Jason Hart—has made Stokes a top priority. Hart, a California native, has been heavily involved in the recruitment and has visited with Stokes multiple times over the last few months. His West Coast ties have been crucial in establishing a strong relationship between the five-star talent and the new Kentucky staff.

Stokes is widely considered the most complete player in his class. With the physicality of a college-ready forward and the skill set of a guard, he’s known for scoring at all three levels, facilitating offense, and guarding multiple positions. His blend of size, strength, and basketball IQ makes him one of the most coveted prospects in recent memory.

With Kentucky wrapping up a strong 2025 class and making waves in the transfer portal, Tyran Stokes’ upcoming visit signals that Mark Pope is also focused on building for the future. Landing the No. 1 player in the 2026 class would be a huge win for Kentucky—not only providing a potential future cornerstone but also showing that the Wildcats remain a top destination for elite talent.

It would also mark Pope’s first high school commitment from outside Kentucky since taking over. Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno both hail from the Bluegrass State, while former commit Acaden Lewis—an out-of-state guard—recently decommitted. A commitment from Stokes would help reset that narrative and prove that Pope and his staff, led by assistant Jason Hart, can recruit nationally at the highest level.

Stokes is expected to take more visits before narrowing down his list later this year. For now, the upcoming trip to Lexington gives Kentucky a prime opportunity to pitch its vision, showcase its fanbase, and prove that Pope’s program is the right fit for the nation’s top junior.