Mark Pope's intense, unending foray into the transfer portal has failed to distract fans from the staff's equally infinuite pursuit of No. 1 overall recruit Tyran Stokes. And, rightfully so; the dude is an absolute stud who stands out as a seemingly surefire winner in an otherwise wishy-washy class.
Having narrowed his choices (essentially) down to Kentucky and Kansas, it's a two-horse race between a Hall of Fame head coach and one who, up to now, still has plenty left to prove. Through that lens especially, it isn't hard to see why the Wildcats have been perceived as underdogs in the race thus far.
Yet Coach Pope and his staff are far from finished with Stokes and, in the latest news, may have bought themselves a bout of second life. In a video from Krysten Peek posted on X, Stokes confirmed he has an additional visit with Kentucky at the start of next week. It's a Hail Mary for the nation's best player from a big blue team that has seen only one incoming player this offseason.
A Hail Mary for Stokes
An excerpt from Stokes' conversation with Peek:
""It's a different coaching staff since the last time I was on campus so just being able to go out there and talk to them and see what their plan is for me." "
Clearly, Kentucky is still very much in the mix for what would be an undoubtedly team-changing pickup. But with Kansas having been equally involved since Stokes' recruitment opened, his ultimate fate in Lexington could very well come down to this visit.
He's already pushed his recruitment window to the absolute limit; with the transfer portal filling holes on teams and rosters coming into full fruition, it won't be long before the dominant forward finds a home. Pope needs to do everything he can to make sure that home is in Lexington.
Getting Stokes to Lexington
The six-foot-seven (don't do it) wing has all the makings of a memorable college star, wherever he ultimately lands. If part of the reason Kentucky's roster and offseason momentum has remained so limited is to try and land Stokes, as it seems, next week's visit represents a crucial swing regardless.
One way or another, Kentucky will start to splash. Either it's by way of adding Stokes and changing Pope's reputation to recruit, or by missing on the biggest name in the country and working to fill in the gaps without him.
You decide which of those is most preferred, BBN. I'll give you a second.