The ongoing Tyran Stokes sweepstakes could very well end up defining Mark Pope's tenure as the head coach at Kentucky. All offseason, in spite of Kansas and Bill Self seemingly leading the race for the nation's No. 1 recruit, Pope and his staff have remained firmly in aggressive pursuit regardless.
In a relative recent success, Stokes trekked to Lexington for another visit, making it the latest stop in his recruiting saga. While he didn't commit on campus, obviously, he posted from Rupp Arena on social media. Fans went wild, and began to hope that Pope had gained an edge during that short time.
Yet, according to ESPN's Paul Biancardi, Stokes' decision is both completely up in the air and may not even be between Kentucky and Kansas alone. The Oregon Ducks are suddenly back in the mix and, if that wasn't bad enough, Stokes is supposedly watching closely as each team builds a roster potentially suited to him. That makes Kentucky missing on Donnie Freeman so much worse.
One Miss Could Cost Kentucky a Star
Landing Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins was undeniably big for Pope's third team at the helm, but, even from the star, former Syracuse forward Donnie Freeman appeared to be perhaps the staff's favorite prospect in all the portal.
And it seemed like the Wildcats were going to get their way and land him... until Rick Pitino and St. John's swooped in at the last second, toppled Kentucky's offer, and claimed the NBA-level power forward for their own. In the words of the great Jon Rothstein: "The epitome of brutality."
Now, with an on-paper perfect running mate for Stokes out of the picture, the Wildcats are scrambling to find a four-man to hold down the position, whilst also grasping for any additional reason that Stokes may want to come to Lexington, anyway.
BBN, I know you're tired of the chase. But Stokes is a surefire NBA talent that, if added, would completely change the landscape of this Kentucky team.
Adding a Surefire NBA Talent
Then again, so was Freeman, also to a markedly lesser extent. Either way, if the Wildcats are to keep swinging for Stokes, missing on Freeman will have to be made a comparitive pitstop to what the team adds next.
Given the remaining portal field, that looks unlikely; but then again, Kentucky should have money to spend, and the stakes are higher than ever for a program that is absolutely reeling.
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