Tyran Stokes' latest post piques fans' interest as he teases looming commitment

Tyran Stokes is an interesting dude, and he knows exactly how many eyes are on him right now. He is without a doubt the best high school player in the country, and his recruitment has officially come down to Kansas, Kentucky, and Oregon. Something's gotta give, and soon.

Stokes recently posted an image from a tattoo shop online, and keen Cats fans spotted something very interesting in the background.

It was an old Kentucky game being played on the TV, obviously visible over Stokes' shoulder and, if you ask those same fans, downright impossible to have "just happened that way."

Of course, it could mean nothing. But the image went viral either way, with fans arguing as to whether or not the image and placement had an express meaning.

With Stokes, I'd argue, no move is unintentional.

Stokes is Nearing a Commitment Date

In the replies of a different, prior post, Stokes alluded to the fact that he would in fact be committing soon through a short series of not exactly cryptic emojis.

Now, what "soon" actually means is anyone's guess. This is a prospect who was supposedly close to committing at various points through the recruitment process, even dating back to last year. But he clearly values his privacy, and the insiders just can't get a read on him. One thing that everybody does know is that Stokes apparently hates adidas shoes, or he may already have been a Kansas Jayhawk.

Paul Biancardi, when it comes to the star forward's decision, said that Stokes was watching who the three finalist programs are signing on the recruiting trail:

Kentucky:

- Zoom Diallo
- Alex Wilkins
- Mason Williams (high school)
- Zyon Hawthorne (high school)

Oregon:

- Pharaoh Compton
- Taylor Bol Bowen
- Jasper Johnson
- Andrew Meadow
- Tyrone Riley
- Tajh Ariza (high school)
- Kendre Harrison (high school)
- Seven Spurlock (high school)

Kansas:

- Keanu Dawes
- Leroy Blyden Jr.
- Taylen Kinney (high school)
- Davion Adkins (high school)
- Trent Perry (high school)
- Luke Barnett (high school)

Clearly, Kentucky is behind in terms of sheer numbers on the page, but the talent gap could be arguable either way. Oregon signed two four-star freshmen and three four-star transfers. Kansas, on the other hand, already has a five-star high school signing (Kinney), in addition to equivalent signings as compared to Oregon.

Meanwhile, Kentucky is sitting at one four-star freshman, one unranked freshman, and two 4 four-star transfers. The Wildcats appear shorthanded, to an extent, even if their concentrated talent is statistically strong nonetheless.

On roster and roster alone, though, nothing is drawing Stokes to Lexington specifically.

Pope Reportedly Prioritized Stokes Over Other Willing Recruits

If there is a huge criticism you can throw at Mark Pope, it's this: When he sees a recruit he wants, he will fight to the bitter end to sign them. That doesn't sound so bad at first, right?

But, even if he is almost surely set to lose the recruitment, that philosophy doesn't change. And that ideal cost him; according to CBB insider Travis Branham, had Pope not been solely focused on Stokes, he could have had a more well-rounded freshman class.

If true, that Pope could have landed Caleb Holt and others, that's a brutal pill to swallow. Yes, Stokes is insanely talented and clearly the nation's best recruit. But, Kentucky has been reportedly trailing in the race for Stokes for months now. Pope needed some dudes, and the five-star Holt (now with Arizona) certainly would've fit that bill.

But now, regardless, we all must wait. Maybe Mark Pope can pull this thing off, and all the things he's endured for Stokes' sake end up making perfect sense. But if the No. 1 overall recruit goes elsewhere, the heat will once more fall on Kentucky's head coach.

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