Stokes to visit May 15-17 per Pilgrim

StubbornPenny

All-American
Nov 2, 2009
10,562
9,892
0
Right. Same thing. Gang issues in Louisville. Presumably if he was in Lexington the threat wouldn’t be as real. Although, that’s a guess, I’m not familiar with gang warfare vis a vis geographical constraints…..
That’s a big no thanks if he’s involved with that stuff. And yes, some gangs are national and Lexington gets way more activity than you’d think because of it being a smaller town with 75 and 64 going through it.
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
Not to be a contrarian, but I'm personally not wanting to see Dioubate at the wing forward. Has the same feel as Poythress at the 3 with the limited ball-handling element.
I see your point.

Like I said, I would much rather have Oweh back and I doubt Oweh is going to stay in the draft when he can make more money and play in nicer facilities staying in college. Oweh will spend much of his pro career in the G-League, especially early on. I take the money and the exposure of playing at UK over the G-League any day of the week.
 

chasingwildcat

All-American
Dec 23, 2024
3,285
6,715
113
If oweh leaves, then I think pope will pursue him in 25 class

If oweh stays, hopefully he will stay in 26 class and signs with us
 
  • Like
Reactions: true-blue1

yoshukai

Heisman
Dec 21, 2002
28,274
39,240
102
That’s a big no thanks if he’s involved with that stuff. And yes, some gangs are national and Lexington gets way more activity than you’d think because of it being a smaller town with 75 and 64 going through it.
It’s not this kid that is involved with gangs . It’s his brother.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kywildcat41086

UKGrad93

Heisman
Jun 20, 2007
17,437
22,789
0
I’m surprised to hear that Janell has any eligibility left. Wonder if he knows how to lace up those size 20 shoes?
 
Apr 22, 2011
25,749
14,375
0
Not to be a contrarian, but I'm personally not wanting to see Dioubate at the wing forward. Has the same feel as Poythress at the 3 with the limited ball-handling element.

I tend to agree, BUT then I remember we won our last title with MKG at the 3 spot, who is also a lot like Mo Dioubate. Not a great shooter, tough as nails, lock down defender, monster on the boards, etc.

Think it just depends who we surround him with.

A lineup with some perimeter shooting at the 1 and 2 spots, and a guy like Jelavic at the 4 spot who can shoot it, still gives lots of spacing and deep threats for Mo D to operate.

Will be interesting to see how it shakes out!
 
  • Like
Reactions: nickhorvathsuxazz

chasingwildcat

All-American
Dec 23, 2024
3,285
6,715
113
I tend to agree, BUT then I remember we won our last title with MKG at the 3 spot, who is also a lot like Mo Dioubate. Not a great shooter, tough as nails, lock down defender, monster on the boards, etc.

Think it just depends who we surround him with.

A lineup with some perimeter shooting at the 1 and 2 spots, and a guy like Jelavic at the 4 spot who can shoot it, still gives lots of spacing and deep threats for Mo D to operate.

Will be interesting to see how it shakes out!
We need Garrison to shoot better

Probably Pope has already planned out how our roster would go before tournament
 

billoliver40

All-American
Dec 16, 2015
6,736
9,444
0
I know this sounds crazy but the jud MAY be wanting to put his name in for the NEXT year I'm not sure Pope is big on taking kids that reclass to sit on the bench then leave.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KFuqua

yoshukai

Heisman
Dec 21, 2002
28,274
39,240
102
I know this sounds crazy but the jud MAY be wanting to put his name in for the NEXT year I'm not sure Pope is big on taking kids that reclass to sit on the bench then leave.
Has there been any talk over on the UL board about his brothers gang activity being a reason for him to stay out of state?
 

Padsfs07

All-Conference
Jan 19, 2013
3,484
3,156
108
Doubt he comes here, but he is a stud.

If we get him and Oweh leaves, move Dioubate to the 3 and put Stokes at the 4 and Quaintance at the 5.

SF Dioubate/Williams
PF Stokes/Jelavic
C Quaintance/Garrison/Moreno

Now that’s a frontcourt!

Personally, I would rather have Oweh back, but getting Stokes would quickly heal the wound of losing Oweh.

It sounds like he's staying in the 26/27 freshman class, but why move Dioubate from PF to SF, when he's a natural undersized PF, and move Stokes to PF, when he's a natural wing/SF?
 
  • Like
Reactions: JHannibalSmith

RexBowie

Heisman
Apr 25, 2023
14,460
25,921
113
I was doing my evening walk last night and was thinking about basketball recruiting, as one naturally does. I tend to have my greatest thoughts on these walks.

It was then when it came to me. Gang violence is a problem in this country. Kentucky fans are a passionate bunch who make things happen. What if we mingle these two demographics?

What if we use the power of the BBN to chill the gang rivalry, bring the gangs into harmony, and use that goodwill as a way of obtaining Stokes? I feel like we can do this if we put our mind to it, do our bit to help the crime rate and secure the best player in 2026.
 

cardsfan53

Junior
Apr 15, 2005
5,659
225
0
Seems weird he would not play AAU this summer, and not go to college this year. Also it might be hard for teams to come up with his asking price this late in the process, most have roster in place for the most part.
 

BigBlueGuru

All-Conference
Feb 10, 2007
1,711
2,795
103
I am of the belief a competitive team in todays environment needs some dudes to be competitive. You cant get many dudes straight out of High School who can come in and be a difference maker at the College level but he is one of those kids who could. I agree I would rather have him then anyone currently on our roster just because I believe he is that good. Hope Pope can real him in.
 

chasingwildcat

All-American
Dec 23, 2024
3,285
6,715
113
I am of the belief a competitive team in todays environment needs some dudes to be competitive. You cant get many dudes straight out of High School who can come in and be a difference maker at the College level but he is one of those kids who could. I agree I would rather have him then anyone currently on our roster just because I believe he is that good. Hope Pope can real him in.
We will have one decommit if Stokes comes here in 25 class
 

Fadhi

All-Conference
Jan 11, 2013
907
1,293
0
I was doing my evening walk last night and was thinking about basketball recruiting, as one naturally does. I tend to have my greatest thoughts on these walks.

It was then when it came to me. Gang violence is a problem in this country. Kentucky fans are a passionate bunch who make things happen. What if we mingle these two demographics?

What if we use the power of the BBN to chill the gang rivalry, bring the gangs into harmony, and use that goodwill as a way of obtaining Stokes? I feel like we can do this if we put our mind to it, do our bit to help the crime rate and secure the best player in 2026.
Something tells me involving the gangs is just gonna somehow turn into them getting NIL deals in the end
 

RexBowie

Heisman
Apr 25, 2023
14,460
25,921
113
Something tells me involving the gangs is just gonna somehow turn into them getting NIL deals in the end
Tim Robinson Reaction GIF by The Lonely Island
 

Maddmatt87

Redshirt
Mar 31, 2025
15
20
2
I was doing my evening walk last night and was thinking about basketball recruiting, as one naturally does. I tend to have my greatest thoughts on these walks.

It was then when it came to me. Gang violence is a problem in this country. Kentucky fans are a passionate bunch who make things happen. What if we mingle these two demographics?

What if we use the power of the BBN to chill the gang rivalry, bring the gangs into harmony, and use that goodwill as a way of obtaining Stokes? I feel like we can do this if we put our mind to it, do our bit to help the crime rate and secure the best player in 2026.

All I heard is "Sell crack and donate the proceeds to UK NIL fund".

I'm in.
 

travisbickle_rivals252984

All-Conference
Feb 9, 2004
1,876
4,216
0
Maybe it’s a performing arts gang like the Jets or Sharks. Dance offs, choreographed fights, etc. Maybe his fear is that he isn’t a good dancer.
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
It sounds like he's staying in the 26/27 freshman class, but why move Dioubate from PF to SF, when he's a natural undersized PF, and move Stokes to PF, when he's a natural wing/SF?
I thought Stokes was a PF.

6’7, 245 screams college PF to me.

My bad, keep Dioubate at PF then.
 

Son_Of_Saul

Heisman
Dec 7, 2007
44,442
94,668
113
My prediction , he will sign with Kentucky for next year. He is staying in HS according to his mom:


That's never been on the table," Keaira Stokes told The Kansas City Star. "He's not even NCAA-eligible because it's never what we wanted to do. So he has to finish his senior year."


He was one the first player Pope offered when he signed with Kentucky. So he is a priority for us.
Give me

Tay Kinney - G
Anthony Thompson - F
Tyran Stokes F
 

BlueBlood96Cat

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2022
2,679
4,721
113
I think that Stokes is a kid that programs should tally up the money on, as I would also like to see us start to get these "elite of elite" kids again. One or two a year is preferred in my opinion. Stokes is really special, and warrants a nice payday. Let's get Stokes in Kentucky blue!
Surely it’s something BBN can do to get this kids attention. Pope is doing his thing but would be nice to land an elite talent.
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
26-27 Rotation

G Lowe/Kinney
G Chandler/Williams
F Stokes/Noah
F Dioubate/Jelavic
F Garrison/Moreno

That should be a contender, IMHO.

Oweh and Aberdeen graduate. Quaintance and Johnson go pro.

Might lose a few more to the pros and portal, but that roster seems plausible.
 

USARMYWILDCAT

Senior
Jan 11, 2016
455
896
93
Imagine this kid comes to KY and is legit. We are on track to win the title and some idiot wannabes go after him and costs us a title.

Them boys don't want that kinda heat. 😄

UK might be the safest place for him.
Exactly, there’s some backwoods Good Ol’ Boys in Kentucky that are into some nefarious activities. They are a breed of animal that those gang bangers have never seen before. That problem would disappear real quick without anybody knowing. Not the people you want to pi$$ off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WildcatNC