Why Tyran Stokes Chose Rainier Beach

High school basketball fans were shocked when top-ranked prospect Tyran Stokes transferred to Washington’s Rainier Beach. After all, he was already playing for Notre Dame Sherman Oaks and looked as if he would stay there until he graduated.

However, the five-star small forward revealed his reason for switching schools in an interview with YouTube content creator Cullen Honohan.

“Just the culture. I look back at the history and the culture of the school program. Coach Mike (Bethea), he’s won, he’s lost a lot,” Tyran Stokes shared. “When you look at the program, you look at the school, you walk in the gym, you see a bunch of banners, state championships—that’s all it’s about. Coming here, playing in front of a great community. The public school atmosphere is different. I’ve been trying to tell people.”

Rainier Beach is a Washington high school basketball powerhouse with ten state championships. Their prestigious hoops alumni include Ryan Anderson, MarJon Beauchamp, Doug Christie, Kevin Porter Jr., and Terrence Williams. Meanwhile, three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner and Vikings legend Jamal Crawford bears the home court’s name. With Stokes and JJ Crawford, Jamal’s son, leading the way, Rainier Beach is in a good position to add another title to the school’s impressive collection.

Nate Robinson, another Rainier Beach alum who went on to play ten seasons in the NBA, affirmed Stokes’ answer by replying, “Honestly, Seattle is one of the best public schools in the country. Here, he could be a kid. He’s around other high school kids, being social with the kids, and being a teenager.”

While the No. 1 player in the nation is making the most of his only year in Seattle, he remains mum about his college basketball decision. However, Rivals predicts that the Kentucky native would likely return home and play for either Louisville or Kentucky. Kansas, USC, and Oregon are also in the running.