Sports

5-Star Hooper Dwarfs Eric Musselman As 6-Foot-8 WR After Leaving USC In The Dark On Surprise Decision

#High school basketball
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Tyran Stokes / Eric Musselman

iStockphoto / © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / © Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


Tyran Stokes is the top high school basketball recruit in the nation. The 6-foot-8 forward is rated as the No. 1 player in his 2026 class by all of the major recruiting services.

Despite a future college career on the hardwood, Stokes made the surprise decision to join the football team midway through his senior season. He did so while seemingly leaving Eric Musselman in the dark.

Stokes is a star at Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks, California. He possesses both size and athleticism on his 245-pound frame.

He’s used those attributes to develop into one of high school basketball’s most complete players. The forward averaged 21 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists as a junior.

Another big year is expected in 2025-26. First, though, he hopes to showcase his abilities in another sport.

Tyran Stokes is pursuing football.

The hooper joined the Notre Dame football squad this week. He hopes to be eligible to compete in the team’s next game.

Stokes will need to participate in 10 padded practices. With the Knights on a bye this coming weekend, it is a possibility he suits up in their next matchup.

Tarek Fattal of Sports Illustrated got some footage of the big man on the gridiron. He expects to be a wide receiver upon joining the roster.

Stokes provided reasoning to Fattal on the surprise decision. He said simply, “This could be my last chance to just be a kid.”

That’s certainly true. Life as a college athlete is busy. Schedules are packed with class, practice, and offseason workouts. Two-sport stars have become a thing of the past.

Stokes may or may not gain much football attention, but that isn’t his motivation. He just wants to enjoy his final year of high school.

This isn’t the basketball star’s first time stepping outside of his comfort zone. He ran in a 400m event with the track and field team earlier this year.

Will Tyran Stokes be successful on the football field? Time will tell. One thing that is for sure is that he’ll tower over his next potential head coach.

Stokes dwarfs Eric Musselman.

Musselman is 5-foot-7. Stokes is an entire foot taller than the man that could be his next head coach.

USC is listed as one of five finalists for the forward, and the only contender located in-state. He’s also considering Kentucky, Kansas, Louisville, and Arkansas.

Stokes is originally from Louisville, KY, but the Trojans currently have luxury of being nearby following his move to the West Coast. Musselman has taken full advantage.

He stopped by to see his top recruit on Monday. He was not initially made aware of Stokes’ plans to join the football team.

“Tyran Stokes at his first football practice,” posted Eric Sondheimer of the LA Times alongside a clip of the wideout warming up. “USC basketball coach Eric Musselman was there after learning Stokes wasn’t at basketball practice.”

Stokes took an official visit to the USC campus in early September. It does not appear his told Musselman of his football intentions.

Despite being left in the dark, the basketball coach continues to recruit the nation’s top player hard. He hopes his pursuits pay off in the form of a commitment.