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Kansas and Kentucky are two of college basketball’s biggest brands with two of the sport’s largest budgets — and both still desperately need to add high-end talent in advance of next season to position themselves as legitimate Final Four contenders.

Tyran Stokes benefitted from that reality.

Tyran Stokes commits to Kansas: Jayhawks land No. 1 player in 2026 class over Kentucky

Cameron Salerno

While choosing to take his recruitment deeper into the calendar than most high school prospects tend to do, Stokes, the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2026, found himself with lucrative offers from each school in recent weeks and was reportedly seriously considering both. Ultimately, though, the 6-foot-7 forward did what he was long expected to do and, on Tuesday, revealed a commitment to Kansas, where his addition has pushed the Jayhawks up to No. 25 in Version 13 of the 2026-27 CBS Sports Preseason Top 25 And 1 college basketball rankings.

“Yesterday was a big day for our program — landing the consensus number one player in the 2026 class,” reported Kansas coach Bill Self. “Tyran is as versatile a youngster that I’ve ever recruited. He can score and he’s a terrific rebounder. He’s powerful and can be a great facilitator, and maybe what he does best is pass the basketball. He’s had far more exposure to basketball than most kids his age and will come in here with the ability to live up to the lofty expectations that will be placed on him by others.”

It’s a huge get for KU.

Inside the All-American retention blueprint: Rob Wright, Andrej Stojakovic top Year 2 transfer jump candidates

Isaac Trotter

Before his announcement, Stokes was considered the best prospect available in a market that’s becoming smaller by the day. He averaged 22.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists on the Nike EYBL circuit last year and has won three gold medals with USA Basketball. He’ll now team with fellow five-star recruit Taylen Kinney and give Self a talented core in what will be his 24th season at KU, one in which the Jayhawks will be trying to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since they won the 2022 NCAA Tournament.

FYI: Stokes wasn’t the only notable player to select his next school Tuesday. Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop also did it and picked Gonzaga over St. John’s in a move that pushed the Zags up to No. 8 in the Top 25 And 1.  A 7-1 center, Diop just averaged 13.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks at ASU.

Top 25 And 1 rankings

Biggest Movers

4

N. Carolina

2

Nebraska
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Teams
  
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1
 Florida This ranking is based on the Gators returning six of the top seven scorers — specifically Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Boogie Fland, Reuben Chinyelu, Urban Klavsar and Isaiah Brown — from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Kentucky transfer Denzel Aberdeen and 7-foot center Jones Lay.

 — 27-8

2
 Duke This ranking is based on the Blue Devils returning four of the top six scorers — specifically Patrick Ngongba II, Caleb Foster, Cayden Boozer and Dame Sarr — from a team that finished 35-3 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell, Belmont transfer Drew Scharnowski and five-star prospects Cameron Williams, Deron Rippey Jr. and Bryson Howard.

 — 35-3

3
 Michigan This ranking is based on the Wolverines returning two of the top five scorers — specifically Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney — from a team that finished 37-3 and won the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Tennessee transfer J.P. Estrella, Cincinnati transfer Moustapha Thiam, LSU transfer Jalen Reed, five-star prospect Brandon McCoy Jr., and four-star prospects Lincoln Cosby, Quinn Costello and Joseph Hartman.

 — 37-3

4
 Illinois This ranking is based on the Illini returning six of the top nine scorers — specifically Andrej Stojakovic, David Mirkovich, Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, Jake Davis and Brandon Lee — from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the 2026 Final Four. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Providence transfer Stefan Vaaks, four-star prospects Quintin Coleman and Lucas Morillo and three-star prospects Ethan Brown and Landon Davis.

 — 28-9

5
 UConn This ranking is based on the Huskies returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Braylon Mullins, Silas Demary and Jayden Ross — from a team that finished 34-6 and advanced to the championship game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Duke transfer Nikolas Khamenia, Seton Hall transfer Najai Hines, Stanford transfer Oskar Giltay, Wofford transfer Nils Machowski and four-star prospects Colben Landrew and Junior County.

 — 34-6

6
 Michigan St. This ranking is based on the Spartans returning five of the top eight scorers — specifically Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, Kur Teng, Jordan Scott and Cam Ward — from a team that finished 27-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Charlotte transfer Anton Bonke and four-star prospects Ethan Taylor, Carlos Medlock Jr., Julius Avent and Jasiah Jervis.

 — 27-8

7
 Arkansas This ranking is based on the Razorbacks returning two of the top four scorers — specifically Meleek Thomas and Billy Richmond III — from a team that finished 28-9 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Jordan Smith Jr., JJ Andrews and Miikka Muurinen, Furman transfer Cooper Bowser, Georgia transfer Jeremiah Wilkinson and four-star prospect Abdou Toure.

 — 28-9

8
 Gonzaga This ranking is based on the Zags returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Braden Huff, Davis Fogle and Mario Saint-Supery — from a team that finished 31-4 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Houston transfer Isiah Harwell, Arizona State transfer Massamba Diop and four-star prospects Luca Foster, Sam Funches and Jack Kayil.

 3 31-4

9
 Texas This ranking is based on the Longhorns returning one of the top two scorers — specifically Matas Vokietaitis — from a team that finished 21-15 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by TCU transfer David Punch, Colorado transfer Isaiah Johnson, Tennessee transfer Amari Evans, Auburn transfer Elyjah Freeman, Saint Mary’s transfer Mikey Lewis and four-star prospects Austin Goosby, Bo Ogden and Joe Sterling.

 1 21-15

10
 Arizona This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning two of the top five scorers — specifically Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov — from a team that finished 36-3 and advanced to the 2026 Final Four. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon, Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit, five-star prospect Caleb Holt and four-star prospect Cameron Holmes.

 1 36-3

11
 Virginia This ranking is based on the Cavaliers returning five of the top 10 scorers — specifically Thijs De Ridder, Sam Lewis, Chance Mallory, Johann Gunloh and Elijah Gertrude — from a team that finished 30-6 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by UC Irvine transfer Jurian Dixon.

 1 30-6

12
 Iowa St. This ranking is based on the Cyclones returning three of the top six scorers — specifically Killyan Toure, Blake Buchanan and Jamarion Bateman — from a team that finished 29-8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Robert Morris transfer Ryan Prather Jr., Northwestern transfer Tre Singleton, Bradley transfer JaQuan Johnson, Kansas State transfer Taj Manning, Northern Iowa transfer Leon Bond III, four-star prospects Dorian Rinaldo-Komian, Jackson Kiss and Christian Wiggins and three-star prospect Yusef Gray Jr.

 — 29-8

13
 Houston This ranking is based on the Cougars returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Joseph Tugler, Mercy Miller and Chase McCarty — from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by LSU transfer Dedan Thomas Jr., Kent State transfer Delrecco Gillespie and four-star prospects Arafan Diane and Ikenna Alozie and

— 30-7

14
 USC This ranking is based on the Trojans returning three of the top five scorers — specifically Rodney Rice, Alijah Arenas and Jacob Cofie — from a team that finished 18-14 and missed the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Christian Collins, four-star prospects Adonis Ratliff and Darius Ratliff, Georgetown transfer KJ Lewis, UConn transfer Eric Reibe and Colgate transfer Jalen Cox.

 — 18-14

15
 Louisville This ranking is based on the Cardinals returning the fifth-leading scorer — specifically Adrian Wooley — from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Kansas transfer Flory Bidunga, Oregon transfer Jackson Shelstad, Arkansas transfer Karter Knox, Iowa transfer Alvaro Folgueiras, Dayton transfer De’Shayne Montgomery, USC transfer Gabe Dynes and former G League player London Johnson. — 24-11

16
 St. John’s This ranking is based on the Red Storm returning two of the top eight scorers — specifically Ian Jackson and Ruben Prey — from a team that finished 30-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman, Columbia transfer Avery Brown and international prospects Quinn Ellis, Djordije Jovanovic and Lazar Stojkovic.

 — 30-7

17
 Tennessee This ranking is based on the Vols returning two of the top 10 scorers — specifically Dewayne Brown II and Ethan Burg — from a team that finished 25-12 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Notre Dame transfer Jalen Haralson, Cal transfer Dai Dai Ames, Belmont transfer Tyler Lundblade, VCU transfer Terrence Hill Jr., Loyola Chicago transfer Miles Rubin, Kennesaw State transfer Braedan Lue, four-star prospects Christopher Washington Jr., Ralph Scott and Manny Green, and three-star prospect Marquis Clark.

 — 25-12

18
 Alabama This ranking is based on the Crimson Tide returning four of the top 10 scorers — specifically Aden Holloway, Amari Allen, London Jemison and Keitenn Bristow — from a team that finished 25-10 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Boise State transfer Drew Fielder, Kentucky transfer Brandon Garrison, NC State transfer Cole Cloer, Mississippi State transfer Jamarion Davis-Fleming and four-star prospects Qayden Samuels, Jaxon Richardson and Tarris Bouie.

 — 25-10

19
 Purdue This ranking is based on the Boilermakers returning five of the top nine scorers — specifically C.J. Cox, Daniel Jacobsen, Omer Mayer, Gicarri Harris and Jack Benter — from a team that finished 30-9 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year Caden Pierce, and four-star prospects Luke Ertel, Jacob Webber and Sinan Huan.

 — 30-9

20
 Indiana This ranking is based on the Hoosiers returning one of the top eight scorers — specifically Trent Sisley — from a team that finished 18-14 and missed the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Notre Dame transfer Markus Burton, Villanova transfer Bryce Lindsay, Alabama transfer Aiden Sherrell, SMU transfer Samet Yigitoglu, Duke transfer Darren Harris, Georgia Tech transfer Jaeden Mustaf and four-star prospects Vaugn Karvala, Prince-Alexander Moody and Trevor Manhertz.

 — 18-14

21
 Miami This ranking is based on the Hurricanes returning three of the top seven scorers — specifically Shelton Henderson, Dante Allen and Marcus Allen — from a team that finished 26-9 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis, Robert Morris transfer DeSean Goode, Georgia transfer Somto Cyril and four-star prospect Caleb Gaskins.

 — 26-9

22
 BYU This ranking is based on the Cougars returning two of the top eight scorers — specifically Robert Wright III and Khadim Mboup — from a team that finished 23-12 and advanced to the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospect Bruce Branch III, four-star prospect Dean Rueckert, Kentucky transfer Collin Chandler, Clemson transfer Jake Wahlin, Syracuse transfer Tyler Betsey and UC Riverside transfer Nate Pickens, the last of whom committed to BYU last May but missed the season with an ankle injury.

 — 23-12

23
 N. Carolina This ranking is based on the Tar Heels returning three of the top 11 scorers — specifically Jarin Stevenson, Isaiah Denis and Jaydon Young — from a team that finished 24-9 and advanced to the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas, Utah transfer Terrence Brown, international prospect Sayon Keita and four-star prospect Maximo Adams.

 NR 24-9

24
 Vanderbilt This ranking is based on the Commodores returning two of the top nine scorers — specifically Tyler Tanner and Chandler Bing — from a team that finished 27-9 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Nebraska transfer Berke Buyuktuncel, Washington State transfer Ace Glass, Auburn transfer Sebastian Williams-Adams, Colorado transfer Bangot Dak, Missouri transfer T.O. Barrett and four-star prospects Ethan Mgbako, Anthony Brown and Jackson Sheffield.

 1 27-9

25
 Kansas This ranking is based on the Jayhawks returning one of the top seven scorers — specifically Kohl Rosario — from a team that finished 24-11 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by five-star prospects Tyran Stokes and Taylen Kinney, four-star prospects Davion Adkins, Trent Perry and Luke Barnett, Charleston transfer Christian Reeves, Toledo transfer Leroy Blyden Jr. and Utah transfer Keanu Dawes.

 NR 24-11

26
 Nebraska This ranking is based on the Cornhuskers returning five of the top nine scorers — specifically Pryce Sandfort, Braden Frager, Ugnius Jarusevicius, Connor Essegian and Cale Jacobsen — from a team that finished 28-7 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Belmont transfer Sam Orme and four-star prospects Colin Rice and Jacob Lanier.

 2 28-7

In: North Carolina, Kansas
Out: Ohio State, UCLA