Tyran Stokes is either the most unusual man in college basketball or he showed up late to practice. It appeared as though the five-star freshman might’ve worked out in street clothes.
However, he might’ve been wearing joggers. This could also be nothing.
If this is what some people think this is, it will create some character questions for Kansas. The Jayhawks certainly do not want to deal with another headache like they did last college basketball season.
Who is Tyran Stokes?
The simple answer to the above question is this: Tyran Stokes is the top prospect in college hoops. He is the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.
At 6-foot-7, 230 pounds (with a 7-foot wingspan), the consensus five-star recruit received 25 scholarship offers out of of Rainier Beach High School in Seattle. Kansas ultimately received his commitment over Alabama, Michigan, Houston, Arkansas, Gonzaga and UNC, among others. USC, Kentucky, Louisville and Oregon were the other four teams most prominently in the mix.
He chose the Jayhawks.
Although Stokes is likely a one-and-done college player, his presence on the court makes Kansas a legitimate national title contender during the 2026-27 season. His build presents as a small forward. His game presents as a shooting guard.
Stokes has terrific hands and great footwork. He is incredible at getting downhill on the open floor and always finds his way to the rim from anywhere on the floor. He can also deliver a smooth assist into tight windows and doesn’t back down from a rebound.
As a senior in high school, Stokes averaged 31.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.0 assist and 4.0 steals per game.
Rainier Beach finished 29-1 as the Washington 3A state champions. The Jayhawks hope he will bring them that same success.
Should Kansas basketball be worried about its five-star freshman?
Tyran Stokes enrolled at the University of Kansas on the first of June. One month later, he risked his fingers to celebrate the 4th of July with a group of viral rappers who each have more than one million followers on Instagram.
I cannot imagine that Bill Self was thrilled to see his star player shooting roman candles in the trenches.
To make matters worse, college basketball fans are speculating that Stokes might’ve been late to his most recent workout. The Jayhawks posted a photo of the team during its training session on a toasty Friday morning in Lawrence. Most of the players were shirtless. The rest of them were dressed in athletic clothing.
Stokes appeared to be wearing street clothes. Some people think he was wearing team-issued joggers, which is very possible. Some of his teammates were also wearing joggers.
Others think he was wearing stonewashed denim pants— and pointed to the fly as the differentiator. They do not look like the same joggers as his teammates in this specific photo. Either way, it looks like he was wearing a Chrome Hearts t-shirt.
If Stokes wore street clothes for the workout by choice, it is a rather unusual decision. The more likely scenario is that he was late to the workout and his coach forced to join them in what he was already wearing when he arrived to the locker room.
Or it could be much ado about nothing.
If that is the case, and Stokes was late, lets hope this was a lesson. Self and Kansas don’t want to worry about character concerns. They had to deal with the Darryn Peterson saga last season. They don’t want a repeat.