2026 Recruiting
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@TYOHawk From what I've read KU really isn't much of a factor at this point for Branch. He listed three Schools and as of now KU isn't one of those three
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Prefer Branch myself but Bossi makes it clear, not many are going to be able to afford him and still get quality players in the portal.
Stokes is a talent but boy there are concerns there with character and behavior. I shouldn't be surprised we are attracted to that though.
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On Stokes from Vandy Site
Tyran Stokes reported that he has an offer from Vanderbilt. I’m told it’s not just an offer, but that Vanderbilt now makes it a “Top 4.” The leader of the pack for a while has been Kansas, but his agency would rather him sign with a Nike school because he has a deal with Nike. Oregon currently has the biggest monetary offer on the table. Kentucky is the other school he is considering. Vanderbilt is trying to make a late push. As far as a timeline, there currently “isn’t one.” I’m told this recruitment has been a little messy, which is maybe why Vanderbilt is trying to swoop in at the last minute.
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@BShark said in 2026 Recruiting:
@TYOHawk said in 2026 Recruiting:
Would prefer Branch personally. But seems like the staff is going to wait for Stokes first.
Talent wise I get it, and if Bill does stick around another year Stokes is the kind of guy he loves at the 4...
The high usage Tre White/JWilson role is right there for him. Not to mention playing with his childhood friend at PG.
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@BeddieKU23 Ya I've read so many articles that Stokes just isn't worth the head ache. Almost sounds like stokes is a me , m , me type of guy - lot of distractions, been in fights with other kids at his school- -think there is a good chance the negatives out weighs the positive I'm good and I know it ---could be a real cancer to the other players on the team on AND off the court.
He obviously loves the attention as this recruiting should be over really don't believe he is any closer to announcing then when it first started. Even heard good chance in the end he never steps foot on any College court. that he will end up sitting out of College ball for a year play across the waters then enter for the NBA. just don't think with all this he is worth it --good talent just to much baggage/drama following him- -don't want him causing problems with fellow team mates.
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The last two years those teams came out flat and maybe not ready and those damned double digits deficits sometimes up to 15 or so points. This resulted in the hated 27 point halves. This team has avoided that to my recollection.
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Encouraging update about Stokes on on3 this morning..
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I mean it's not really much new info. If he wasn't a Nike kid he likely would have already signed with KU but it's a complicated situation with Nike already sinking their teeth into the situation.
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Certainly, has some maturing to do. You'd like to know you're recruiting a good character kid, not just a good ball player.
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All these Adidas kids going to nike schools while nike is holding onto dear life with stokes. Let him be free! He'll have a better career not playing under "Mark Pope"
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Sounds like Oregon has the strongest NIL package for Stokes. I still think he ends up at KY but certainly not going to lose sleep over this one. It's certainly up for debate whether we could fair better in the portal at that position then dealing with this whole fiasco
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@rcjhdraft said in 2026 Recruiting:
All these Adidas kids going to nike schools while nike is holding onto dear life with stokes. Let him be free! He'll have a better career not playing under "Mark Pope"
I’ve thought the same thing lol. Adidas is letting a lot of their signees attend Nike schools and the swoosh is fighting tooth and nail against us.
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@TYOHawk said in 2026 Recruiting:
@rcjhdraft said in 2026 Recruiting:
All these Adidas kids going to nike schools while nike is holding onto dear life with stokes. Let him be free! He'll have a better career not playing under "Mark Pope"
I’ve thought the same thing lol. Adidas is letting a lot of their signees attend Nike schools and the swoosh is fighting tooth and nail against us.
Funniest thing was them immediately flipping Ament after they couldn't flip DP.
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I was surfing through this afternoon on the Rupp Board from UK seeing if they had anything on the latest for them with Stokes , ran across a thread where Joe Tipton had posted about Stokes.
. Tipton goes on their boars sometimes and answer questions and tells them he will answer any questions he can throughout the day, well anyways- - - -one of the questions was what he thought about their chances was with Stokes - -Tipton said they weren't as close as before and probably as they have ever been and said if he had to give a percentage it was probably like 9 % now.
Another poster ask if he thought the issue some of the reported issues Stokes has had , some of the problems that has been with Stokes was true , Tipton answered and said he really didn't want to get into Stokes issues publicly--problem child, he didn't say hat I did lol. I really don't think we would want all the baggage. We shall see I guess
i
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We’ll be factors for Branch if Stokes goes elsewhere. He’s just on the back burner for right now
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Only concern is Stokes drawing it out. Ideally you’d like to have a decision in the next few months.
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@TYOHawk you’re 100% right. At some point you have to just pivot. To use a metaphor, if the lady you’ve been seeing for 6 months or whatever doesn’t want to commit you move on.
