Recruiting Intel: Who's gaining ground with 5-star targets
Joe Tipton brings you the latest recruiting intel on the 5-star recruits in the 2026 class, including Tyran Stokes, Brandon McCoy, and more.
Some UK recruiting nuggets here
- Thread starter Joe Tipton
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if anyone has questions, feel free to ask!
Who do you think is most likely to be Kentucky’s first commitment?
How does Stokes project as a freshman? Is he capable of being a superstar contributor as a freshman?
Number one player in the class is always projected as that, it doesn't always work out that way but that's always been the projection.
If a train leaves Chicago at 8am and another train leaves LA at 5am, how much time will it take for both trains to reach New York if they are traveling at 400mph and there is no windy or rainy conditions along the way?
With some shooters around him I think he will live in the lane and at the line
| Train Origin | Departs (Local Time) | Travel Time | Arrival in NY (Eastern Time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago | 8:00 AM CT | ~1h 59m | 10:59 AM ET |
| Los Angeles | 5:00 AM PT | ~6h 8m | 2:08 PM ET |
CHATGPT
hmmm. commitment timelines are very fluid. of the players they are after, I think Tyran Stokes and/or Tay Kinney might be the first to come off the board but not saying they pick UK obviously. they both want to decide before the start of their senior basketball season. the other players Kentucky is on are much more up in their air when it comes to a commitment. some might wait until jan, feb, or march
he is one of the few players in the 26 class that can make a very real impact on a top college team. I wouldn't want to say "superstar", but 'star" yes. he projects as one of the two best players on any of the teams hes considering
I dont think it'll only be about money, no. NIL matters for most top guys like stokes. Kentucky and Arkansas might have the biggest bankrolls of the schools he's considering. remember we are in the post house settlement era. could even see a school like gonzaga (that doesn't have football) be able to be very nicely positioned when it comes to NIL
From Chicago to NYC in less than 2 hours, no crazy security lines, etc. - we really need high speed rail in this country! Not sure 400 MPH is realistic though haha
I would be a bit surprised to see him pick UK, if he were to decide today. that's just the intel im getting from good sources
Thanks Joe! Any ideas on Caleb Holt’s recruitment timeline? Is Adidas a big obstacle for us there?
Sorry to hear that . Him being an instate kid, I was hoping that would help us with him.
Recruiting Intel: Who's gaining ground with 5-star targets
Joe Tipton brings you the latest recruiting intel on the 5-star recruits in the 2026 class, including Tyran Stokes, Brandon McCoy, and more.www.on3.com
What do you think tbd chances are of us landing Kinney. Stokes and Thompson ?
Kinney, relatively low chance based on what im hearing but not impossible.
stokes seems like a better chance, but it is TBD with Thompson. id prob pick the field with Thompson
Kinney is not coming to Kentucky forget about him focus on someone that realistically may commit.
That would not be a big loss. It appears this is a very weak class and he could be recruited over very easily with the portal and next year's class.
Oh yeah. If we give him more bread than anyone else he’s definitely coming. Give me Kinney. Thompson. Stokes no matter the cost
Why is everyone forgetting Lowe most likely returns for his last year. I’m looking at Rippey and Tay as his sidekicks or running mates if Jasper leaves
So, a player who entered his name in the draft this year and withdrew, most likely returns? Not saying that he won't return but to say a player who has demonstrated that he wants to be in the NBA soon will most likely return is a stretch, imo.
Calipari-era, one-and-done, pre-NIL PTSD....
Calipari had to have 10 5 stars every year, just to be relevant. His coaching sucked.
Pope, doesn’t need overwhelming talent to be relevant. Hell, he took one of the least talented teams in UK history, to the Sweet 16 last season.
Pope, doesn’t need overwhelming talent to be relevant. Hell, he took one of the least talented teams in UK history, to the Sweet 16 last season.
But while doing that grab 1-2 1st round type studs to go with the types you’re talking about
Kentucky is Momma Thompson’s preference, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
Man other than Stokes he’s prolly who I want more than anybody. A lineup of Lowe. Jasper. Thompson. Stokes and a transfer would be stupid. Then Rippey. 2G transfer. Chandler Hawthorne. Mo D. Jelevic. Moreno. Noah prolly transfers. Same with Hawthorne and BG