Kentucky MBB offers Tyran Stokes, a Louisville native ranked No. 1 in 2026

When you’re a 16-year-old basketball player with a Wikipedia page, you’re probably pretty good at the sport. That’s certainly the case with Tyran Stokes, who announced an offer from the Kentucky Wildcats through social media on Monday afternoon.

Stokes is widely considered as the top overall recruit in the class of 2026. All four major recruiting services have him tabbed as the No. 1 overall sophomore in the country. Originally from Louisville, KY, the 6-foot-7, 225-pound wing now plays for Prolific Prep (CA) alongside fellow five-star AJ Dybantsa, who is ranked as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class and is also hearing from UK.

Along with Kentucky, Stokes holds offers from the likes of Alabama, LSU, Kansas, UCLA, Auburn, Florida State, and many more. Stokes is the first ’26 recruit to announce a scholarship from Kentucky.

Stokes, who turned 16 in October, was born in Louisville and was raised in the Bluegrass State until he was nine years old. He then spent some time living in California and Atlanta before moving back out west to Napa Valley where he now plays at one of the nation’s top basketball prep schools. However, the majority of his family still resides in Louisville.

In fact, most of Stokes’ family remain Louisville fans to this day and he’s even admitted that he cheered for the Cardinals growing up. UL head coach Kenny Payne has been recruiting him regularly. But back in July, Stokes told KSR’s Jack Pilgrim that Kentucky was the school recruiting him the hardest at the time.

“A lot of schools have been reaching out. But probably Kentucky,” Stokes said about the programs recruiting him the most. “Gonzaga and Indiana, Michigan, but mostly Kentucky though.

“… Kentucky is a great school and a great program. I would love Coach (Calipari) and Kentucky if I had the opportunity to play there.”

On the AAU circuit over the summer, Stokes — who was 15 at the time — averaged 12.9 points on 57.5% shooting while adding 5.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists during the Nike EYBL regular season with Vegas Elite (17U). He then followed it up by averaging 11.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per contest at Peach Jam, helping lead his squad to the prestigious event’s title game. There has been talk about a potential reclassification to 2025, although nothing has been decided at this point.