By JAMES MADDEN
LAWRENCE, KS – Bill Self and Kansas became just the second program in the last decade to land the top-ranked high school recruit in back-to-back years on Tuesday, landing 6-foot-7 forward Tyran Stokes.
After announcing his decision at Studio J in Atlanta on NBA Tip-Off on ESPN, Stokes quickly boarded a flight bound for Kansas City on Wednesday, to embark on another visit to Kansas.
Upon his arrival, Stokes was met by the entire Kansas coaching staff, media members and dozens of students and fans. When he was made available for questions, Stokes was asked about his excitement level as he became the newest member of the Jayhawks’ program.
“I’m blessed, just being on campus as a commit now, it’s a different feeling, different vibe,” Stokes said Wednesday. “I can talk with the coaches in a different way, experience the campus in a different way.”
With the Jayhawks becoming the first team since 2017 to sign back-to-back top-ranked recruits, Kansas assistant Kurtis Townsend, who was elated as he arrived in his black Escalade on Wednesday, has been credited with the signings of Darryn Peterson and Stokes.
Both Townsend and Stokes’ agent Aaron Goodwin are California natives, and enjoy a longstanding relationship. One coach told ZAGSBLOG at the Final Four that “Tyran Stokes is gonna end up at Kansas” because of the relationship between Goodwin and Townsend.
One college coach here at the Final Four:
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 3, 2026
"Tyran Stokes is gonna end up at Kansas."
He cited the close relationship between Kansas asst Kurtis Townsend and agent Aaron Goodwin, both California natives. https://t.co/g2U97O2QcX pic.twitter.com/CEYDN3PKRv
Stokes was asked about his ongoing relationship with Bill Self’s longtime assistant, who frequently visited Seattle to see Stokes play this season.
“He’s been there from the get-go. That was the first coach I talked to at Kansas,” he said. “Every time he talks to me, he’s like, ‘Even if you don’t come to Kansas, I’m always supporting you.’ Just having that respect level… just shows his character.”
A native of Louisville, Stokes has visited Kansas multiple times in the past, including a game in which Allen Fieldhouse may have had its most raucous crowd of the season. That was a Jan. 31 win against BYU. He compared walking into the hotel lobby to walking out of the tunnel at Allen Fieldhouse, as he was surrounded by dozens of rabid Kansas fans and excited hotel staff, many of whom asked for photos with the highly-coveted recruit.
“It’s like I’m walking out to Allen (Fieldhouse) already,” Stokes said Wednesday.
As the Jayhawks have begun retooling for next season, Stokes’ commitment locks them into landing one of the top high-school recruiting classes in the country. He was asked about his vision for the team’s success next season.
“I think we can go win the natty. That’s the mission I’m on, that’s what I got,” he said.
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