The fury of transfer portal season has fully descended upon Mark Pope and Kentucky once more. As we all hit the books and try and piece together a potential roster of the literal 1,000+ prospects on the market (an annual BBN tradition), Pope and his staff may be holding out for someone entirely disconnected from the portal process.
No. 1 overall recruit Tyran Stokes, who has been stuck between Kansas and Kentucky for multiple unclear months now, is set to arrive in Lexington shortly for an early-week visit. While the Jayhawks appeared to be the favorites for Stokes, especially after Bill Self decided to run it back, Pope securing another visit might've been all Kentucky needed to win the recruiting war.
It helps that, in spite of the common media perception that Stokes is more likely a Jayhawk than a Wildcat, the star forward himself reportedly has "no idea where he's going." After interviewing Stokes herself, Krysten Peek explained Stokes' trip to Lexington to Larry Vaught.
Stokes Wants to Find Clarity in Lexington
“Tell Kentucky fans that this visit is one of clarity (for Stokes)," said Peek, prior to the declaration that the soon-to-be best player in college basketball still isn't sure where he wants to land. Previously, Stokes mentioned Kentucky's "different coaching staff" as a catalyst for his latest visit with Kentucky.
Real ball-knowers will pin this reference to recently hired assistant coach Mo Williams, who has a longstanding connection with Stokes that is bound to come up when he touches down in the bluegrass.
It helps, too, that Pope is also pushing hard to land point guard Zoom Diallo; a former teammate of Stokes, one recruitment could lead to another if both players have an interest in teaming up. Kentucky has a number of angles from which they could attack this recruitment. Really, they only need one to work.
Finding the Right Angle
What it'll actually take to get this stud in the blue and white remains as foggy as his commitment has been for nearly a year now. But with the possibility of his choice looming any day now, the Wildcats reeling Stokes in for what is likely to be one final visit is critical news for Pope's third season.
One thing is for sure: Kentucky fans will be refreshing with bated breath for the entirety of Stokes' stay. This one commitment could change the course of Mark Pope's entire tenure at Rupp Arena. Buckle up, BBN.