Yea he's as good. Why do people still base these opinions off of all star games. It's like judging Kentucky after beating Purdue last year. Means nothing
Stokes - Simple Question ??
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I certainly agree Flagg is better, but I thought Boozer was pretty damn good. Not sure, but I suspect Dybansta will be the better pro player.
I understand, but that is the only time I've seen him play and my initial impressions are the only ones I have, right now. That is why I asked. You seem quite comfortable that he is as good as Dybansta and Boozer, which is great to hear if we get him, but how did you form your opinion ??
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AJ is much better IMO. He would’ve averaged 33/34 PPG at duke, with the same usage as Boozer. Don't get me wrong, Boozer is definitely a good ball player. However, he’s a below the rim big that just bulldozed his way to the basket all season. He won’t get away with that crap in the NBA. Kinda like Jokafor.
Stokes is a different type of player than a Boozer or Dybantsa. He isn't a pure scorer, but is more of a point forward at the college level. He's not as big as Boozer but has great length. He's a big step up from any of the forwards we've been in the mix with in recent years.
This. Totally different players. I think we can use him like Florida used Haugh, but with a higher usage rate. He’s not as tall, but he’s bigger.
IMO, Stokes is similar style to Dybantsa but a step below. Dybantsa was just phenomenal and a crazy athlete. Can Boozer is a totally different player. He’s a big and extremely fundamentally sound which made him a great, great college player. Stokes has more NBA upside than Cam Boozer but probably won’t be as impactful in college
Side note, the refs let the other team literally fouls the crap out of Stokes in the Hiops summit with no calls and he still played pretty well. He will get a lot more calls in college
The timing is killing us. If you knew you had Stokes you could get 2-3 of the scoring combo guards like Wilkinson to team with him and not really have to get a true pg.
Pure hopium with him. I was most disappointed in his defense, just does not move his feet.
Just from watching him the same way I watched them. Of course it's just an opinion but I think he's capable of more than AJ Dybansta because of his body and ability to play center or pg. Stokes is thick but has handles like Dilly.
He's just extremely unique Imo. You can't stop him getting to the basket. Boozer is strictly a big man. Obviously boozer is really good he's just limited.
They are all good. I bet Stokes averages damn near a triple double. Points rebounds assist. He's barely running up the court in these all star games. These guys play at 40 percent in these.
6'7 230 pound point guard that can bang down low(prefers contact) or a huge point guard that can initiate the offense. Shoots the three can pull up mid range can drive to the basket.
Of course time will tell but I think he's much much better than boozer and can have a huge impact like AJ. Boozer just didn't impress me. Gets all that love because of the team he was on. Duke. And AJ also. Remember how many games BYU had lost and still were a top 15 team?
If somehow we land Stokes I bet y'all opinions will change quickly. The guy plays defense also.
All In all Stokes is just extremely more versatile than any recruit in recent memory. Aj Dybansta is skilled but skinny. Boozer is skilled but limited to big man play style. Stokes can get the rebound bring the ball up the court and go dunk on somebody the same way AJ would except Stokes is looking for the contact and to kill someone at the rim.
His main thing Imo is his mentality which you won't see in these all star games where they don't want to get injured before pay day. Especially the uncommitted. Time will tell.
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You might as well. If you didn’t enjoy year 2, you certainly aren’t going to enjoy year 3. Going to be like watching the titanic and hoping the water magically stops rushing in to sink the ship.
Better than anything we've had under Pope. A step back from last year's super class.
THANK YOU for such a thorough and thoughtful profile. If his game translates to the college game anywhere near like you suggest, there seems to be little question that he can be the type of player to carry a team into higher-level rankings. With surrounding talent, even a FF run is not unthinkable.
Hopefully, he will enjoy his visit tomorrow, decide to end the drama and sign with us. It would certainly be a much-needed lift for Pope and the program ... one that we definitely need right now !! GO CATS !!
There is nobody in this class at the level of the top of last years class. If we pay AJ money to Stokes we will be very disappointed.Is Stokes better, worse, or about the same as Dybansta and Boozer ?? I've only seen him in the McD All-Star game and could see he was talented, of course, but his talent level seemed below theirs to me. What are your thoughts on how good he is, comparatively, and can he be as impactful as they were this past season ?? Can he carry a highly-ranked team ??
AJ Dybantsa College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
AJ Dybantsa - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much morewww.sports-reference.com
Cameron Boozer College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Cameron Boozer - Stats, Game Logs, Splits, and much more
Stokes got handled by Toure in this game. He has different skills than Boozer and AJ but he can be handled with an elite athlete like Toure. He had one offensive move all game and rest were snow bird layups. He will not be as effective on UK as Oweh was. Pope better not spend all the money on him or he is in trouble.
Great post! I see some of the vision Pope is going after for yr 3.
Amari/Butler were very good @ their positions Amari's vision at the top of the key was very effective in Popes offense yr 1.
Butler was effective in the PnR yr. 1
Zoom/Stokes will be highly successful imo for this upcoming season if those two are in UK uniforms this coming season.
I was surprised @ how well Boozer shot the 3 this yr.
Well ... if you've read this thread, you will quickly see a variety of opinions on just how good and impactful Stokes can be here at Kentucky.
NOBODY is denying that he is VERY GOOD, probably the top of this year's HS class, but his overall ability and impact seem relatively uncertain.
Hopefully, we can get him, but your point about the budget component and its overall impact to the team as a whole is a good one.
I am sure being a fly on the wall at staff strategy discussions regarding Stokes would be very enlightening, to say the least.
You seriously think Oweh is better than Stokes?
"surrounding talent" is the key. If we get Stokes and little else, you are correct and any hype is unjustified. If we land Stokes and compliment him with several other high-level, starter-quality players ... I do not see how a possible run to the FF is unthinkable. That would make us something like a TOP 15 team (at least) at season's end. If that is unthinkable, given the assumption of Stokes and some quality newcomers, then there is no hope ever for us.
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I did not see the game, but read folks' comments on the board and looked at the box score. I realize it is just one game and do not mean to nitpick, but I was surprised to see only two (2) rebounds and zero (0) assists in twenty-five (25) minutes of action. His four (4) turnovers and fouling out did not really bother me ... that happens. His overall stat line was decent, but nothing special. I'm certain he can do much better.
Nike Hoop Summit Box Score: Full Stats From 2026 USA vs. World Games | NESN
Check out the full stats from the men's and women's games.
nesn.com
Boozer was selfish. Stokes can make the whole team better.
All-start type games are not where Stokes shines.
I never thought he was selfish in the games I saw. I thought he elevated his team, much like I am hoping Stokes can with his passing.
Boozer averaged 13.7 shots in 33.4 minutes overall, with 13.4 shots in 33.9 minutes in conference. 4.1 assists for season, 3.9 conference.
Dybansta averaged 17.3 shots in 34.8 minutes overall, with 17.3 shots in 36.4 minutes in conference. 3.7 assists for season, 3.8 conference.
P J Haggerty averaged 17.9 shots in 35.2 minutes overall, with 19.5 shots in 37.4 minutes in conference. 3.8 assists for season, 3.5 conference.
Just as a reference:
Oweh averaged 14.0 shots in 32.8 minutes overall, with 15.3 shots in 34.9 minutes in conference. 2.7 assists for season, 2.7 conference.
Aberdeen averaged 10.4 shots in 30.6 minutes overall, with 10.8 shots in 32.3 minutes in conference. 3.4 assists for season, 3.7 conference.
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This is exactly what I envision. I think Stokes would be even more effective than what Amari was in this role. He clearly has a better handle, much better shooter, better at putting the ball on the deck and going with it and possibly a better passer. Idk how Zoom will compare to Butler in PnR, but Zoom is very good in the PnR.
Hell no! Oweh is probably better at driving the ball, but that’s about it. He might be a better defender than Stokes. Outside of that, Stokes is better at every other facet.
Based on what many folks are saying, Stokes may damn near be more valuable passing the ball, than shooting it. That's pretty cool, as you know he will certainly get his share of points. To my view, rebounding, defense and staying out of foul trouble will be the keys for him. Getting two (2) quick fouls and sitting in the first half will suck, no question, if that is a frequency.
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Stokes needs to commit tomorrow and start recruiting his teammates for next season. He should be on a private jet with Pope already. Stokes needs to give the Popester some Street cred in a bad way.
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My take on last night game.I did not see the game, but read folks' comments on the board and looked at the box score. I realize it is just one game and do not mean to nitpick, but I was surprised to see only two (2) rebounds and zero (0) assists in twenty-five (25) minutes of action. His four (4) turnovers and fouling out did not really bother me ... that happens. His overall stat line was decent, but nothing special. I'm certain he can do much better.
Nike Hoop Summit Box Score: Full Stats From 2026 USA vs. World Games | NESN
Check out the full stats from the men's and women's games.
Actually very competitive: typical play for these type of games [ turnovers, 1v1 action, fouls etc..]
I don't feel the Arkansas commit locked up Stokes, but I will say he played with a more aggressive mindset than Stokes.
There were a couple of times when Stokes and that 230 frame went to the blocks, an immediate foul was called.
I don’t think he is as good as dybantsa, boozer or Flagg .
But he will still be a very good player .
But he will still be a very good player .
If we get him, will he be most promising player we have signed out of high school since Anthony Davis ??
Him or Skal. Easy to forget, Skal was a unanimous #1 player and projected to be something of a “next Anthony Davis”. You could also go with KAT being in consideration here.
Skal was badly misused from what I remember. Cal wanted him to bang, but he just wasn't that kind of player.
Very interesting you bring up Skal ... damn, I'd long-forgotten him !! GOOD POST !!
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My research indicates:
2011 AD was Rivals #2, Scout #1, ESPN 100 #1, 247Sports $1
2014 KAT was Rivals #5, Scout #2, ESPN 100 #9, 247Sports #1
2015 SKAL was Rivals #1, Scout #1, ESPN 100 #2, 247Sports #7
As others have mentioned, if Pope can sign Stokes that would be a HUGE feather in his headset, give him instant street cred and would be a huge lift for the program back onto the Big Stage again, especially if Pope could add several other high-quality, starter-level players.
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He was #1 in 247Sports Composite
His fundamentals are great. Foot work passing and handles are next level for a guy his size. He can definitely make a season for a team.