Kentucky basketball's pursuit of Tyran Stokes, the consensus No. 1 player in the 2026 class, got a significant boost from an unexpected, yet powerful, source this week. After Stokes announced his final three of Kentucky, Kansas, and Oregon, a current 76er and former Wildcat chimed in to show his support for BBN.
That player was Justin Edwards.
Justin Edwards shows love for Kentucky amidst Tyran Stokes recruitment
When news broke that Kentucky had made the final cut, Edwards quickly hit Instagram, posting a "side eye" emoji and a "blue heart" emoji on the announcement, a clear signal of his endorsement. This simple act speaks volumes, perhaps more than any blue-chip recruit's endorsement ever could.
Let's be honest: Edwards' lone season in Lexington was not what anyone, especially him, had hoped for. He arrived as a top-3 recruit and potential lottery pick but struggled mightily under the weight of expectations. He was often the target of intense fan criticism, went undrafted, and has since been open about the mental health battles he faced during that difficult year. He did turn it around a little at the end of his season in Lexington, but apparently the damage had been done.
And yet, here he is, just two years later, publicly encouraging the next No. 1 guy to come to Lexington. Edwards, who has since earned his spot with the 76ers, could have easily held a grudge. He could have stayed silent. He could have just let go of his time with the Cats, no one would have blamed him. Instead, he showed that the connection to the program and the fanbase, even one that was tough on him, runs deep.
It's a powerful testament to the "BBN is family" mantra. Having former players, especially ones who navigated the darkest parts of the Kentucky spotlight, still willing to champion the program shows the true, lasting power of the brand and the state. Mark Pope still has to close the deal on Stokes, but having players like Edwards in his corner is a recruiting advantage money can't buy.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion