Sports
Tyran Stokes, No. 1 recruit in 2026 class, commits to Kansas over Kentucky
This is a known truth in college basketball: When Kansas coach Bill Self stays involved in a recruitment as long as he’s hung in with Tyran Stokes, it’s rare he doesn’t come away with his target.
That remained true on Tuesday when Stokes committed to Kansas over Kentucky, giving KU the top-ranked high school prospect for the second year in a row. Stokes announced his decision on ESPN’s “Inside the NBA.”
Stokes is now the centerpiece for the Jayhawks, who will likely start the year as a top-15ish team, while Kentucky is left scrambling to find a star wing on a roster that is underwhelming on paper.
That would have been the case for Kansas had it missed out on Stokes, but as a rival coach told The Athletic recently, Self does not miss when a recruitment drags on this long.
Self is banking on Stokes being worth the wait. The 6-foot-7 wing has long been considered the top prospect in the 2026 class. Stokes, who played this past high school season for Rainier Beach High in Seattle, overwhelmed his peers with his strength and athleticism, and there’s an expectation he’ll be able to do the same at the college level. The 2026 class is not as strong as 2025, but as a prospect, Stokes has been discussed with the likes of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer — the projected top three picks in June’s NBA Draft — in recent years.
Stokes is an elite downhill driver with enough vision that he could be labeled a playmaking forward. He’s also a strong rebounder and has a 7-foot wingspan, allowing him to play either forward position and giving KU some lineup versatility. Stokes, who has also shot in the mid-30s over the last year from 3-point range, has a comparable skill set to former KU wing Jalen Wilson, who averaged 20.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists as a first-team All-American in 2023, which was the last time the Jayhawks were a No. 1 seed.
Self was in need of a true star after losing Peterson to the NBA Draft and retaining only two bench players (Kohl Rosario and Paul Mbiya) off last year’s roster. Based on KU’s portal activity, it appeared that Self was confident he’d be able to land Stokes. Kansas added three players in the portal — Utah power forward Keanu Dawes, Toledo guard Leroy Blyden Jr. and College of Charleston center Christian Reeves — and already had four commitments from high school players, including five-star point guard Taylen Kinney.
The Jayhawks now have depth at every position. Stokes and Dawes will be heavy favorites to start at the forward spots, then it’ll likely be some combination of Kinney, Blyden and Rosario on the perimeter with Reeves, Mbiya and incoming four-star Davion Adkins battling for the starting center spot. KU’s freshman class also includes athletic wing Trent Perry and sharpshooting guard Luke Barnett. That core looks a lot stronger on paper with the inclusion of Stokes.
As for Kentucky, coach Mark Pope will likely turn his attention now to figuring out a backup plan. His hope was to get Stokes, a Louisville native, to return to his home state. He’ll likely catch some flak now for not reading the tea leaves, especially if he’s unable to land one of the big fish left in the portal. Four of the top six players in The Athletic’s portal rankings are wings, but all four (Juke Harris, Milan Momcilovic, Tounde Yessoufou and Allen Graves) have declared for the NBA Draft in addition to putting their names in the portal. The deadline to stay in the draft or return to school is not until May 27.
Kentucky was in a similar spot to Kansas heading into Tuesday. Pope had three near-locks in his starting lineup for next season — returning center Malachi Moreno (who also put his name in the draft) plus portal additions Alex Wilkins (Furman) and Zoom Diallo (Washington) in the backcourt — but Pope needed a bucket getter on the wing. In a slight consolation Tuesday, Kentucky did add 6-foot-7 wing Justin McBride, who scored 15.3 points per game for James Madison last season. The Cats also return wing Kam Williams and Trent Noah from last year’s rotation, but both are role players. Now the fact that UK has only six players with much college experience is concerning. Kentucky’s lone high school signing, Mason Williams, ranks 109th in the class, according to 247Sports.
Pope was already under pressure for underperforming with a reported $22 million roster this past season. Now the heat from Kentucky fans will likely turn up after sticking in the Stokes recruitment for so long and losing out. Self would have been in a tricky spot himself if Stokes had landed at Kentucky, but his ability to close made KU’s choice to wait on Stokes a smart, calculated risk.
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Sports
England: Do Three Lions have a problem against top-10 teams?
England’s all-time top scorer Kane, with 85 goals, was asked which missing ingredient was needed to get them over the line.
“I think it’s just in those biggest moments, still being ourselves,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“The Argentina game was so hard to take, because we had a mindset of going to win the tournament, win in our way and our style, and if we lose trying to do that then we will take that.
“The Argentina game was maybe the first game we tried ‘not to lose’ in the last 30 minutes and then we ended up losing anyway.”
Kane has scored 152 goals in 154 games for Bayern, winning two Bundesliga titles.
“I have experienced it at Bayern Munich for example, you don’t fear anyone,” the 33-year-old said.
“You go and be yourself, if a team beats you, shake their hand after and say well done.
“You have an identity that you keep throughout.
“I think with England now that is where we need to look.
“We are very close, we have been very close but ultimately, we don’t need to fear anyone.
“We just need to be ourselves in the biggest moments and hopefully get over the line.”
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Sports
Nations League: ‘Brilliant’ Charles brothers lead Northern Ireland to landmark win over Georgia
The Fulham midfielder felt he should have scored “a couple more” before his late strike, but this was another commanding performance in the middle of the park from the 22-year-old.
More and more used to the big stage, he has already faced Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea since his summer switch from Southampton to Craven Cottage.
The Manchester City youth product believes coming up against the likes of Rodri, Sandro Tonali and Christian Eriksen during his international career has eased his transition into the top flight.
“It’s helped me a lot,” Shea said.
“I remember when we played the Spain game [in June 2024], I said these are the kind of people you play against in the Premier League, so it’s all experience.
“I feel really good and I think our team as well is in a really good place. Everyone’s getting a lot of minutes at club level so when we’re coming here we’re only getting stronger every time.”
There will be little rest for the group as, after flying home in the early hours of Saturday morning, they face Hungary at Windsor Park on Monday night in what is the second fixture of this four-game window.
A first game in Belfast since November, and one that will be shown live across the BBC, the older Charles brother is keen to harness the momentum of a rare away win when returning to home soil.
“I think it just sets us up really well for the Hungary game on Monday. This is really exciting and hopefully we can push on,” Shea added.
“Everyone’s buzzing and can’t wait to get back to Belfast and just try and get the win there.”
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Sports
Today on Sky Sports Racing: Eye Of Dubai looks to retain Ripon crown | Racing News
Ripon, Southwell and Belmont Park headline Saturday’s action – live on Sky Sports Racing.
3.28 Ripon – Eye Of Dubai bids for a third win in the race
Eye Of Dubai seeks a third consecutive success in the feature Ripon Cathedral City Of The Dales Handicap.
John and Sean Quinn’s five-year-old returned to winning ways when claiming the Ayr Bronze Cup last weekend and this course specialist must be feared from this 5lb higher mark.
Stalemate Dark Thirty is a noteworthy runner after his excellent third at the Curragh and the handicapper has given him a chance with a 2lb drop in the weights. Jake Dickson takes a further 5lb off, giving this gelded son of Starspangledbanner a real opportunity here.
Trefor is a course and distance winner who is closely matched with Indian Run on their Windsor 1-3 in August and both rate each-way contenders, despite the inconsistent recent efforts of the former.
David O’Meara saddles Yes I’m Mali who scored over this track and trip on his penultimate start and should go well with Conor Whiteley claiming a handy 5lb.
7.00 Southwell – Well-bred pair Pyramid and Kashooda headline
Pyramid and Kashooda contest a potentially informative Free Bets On attheraces.com Maiden Stakes at Southwell.
Juddmonte colt Pyramid caught the eye when runner-up at Wolverhampton on his debut in July, denied a run until the race was over, he stuck on nicely and should improve for that outing. The winner has since finished second in Listed company while the third scored next time so the form looks rock solid.
Kashooda is the main danger for Andrew Balding and Callum Hutchinson. She has placed on both starts to date including when second to a nice type at Kempton and ought to have more to offer.
Others to note include Roxy Power and Pepperazzi, who debuts in the Valmont silks for Oliver Cole.
10.19 Belmont Park – Pride Of Arras and El Cordobes lock horns
A cracking renewal of this Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Stakes sees European raiders El Cordobes and Pride Of Arras headline a field of seven.
Charlie Appleby’s El Cordobes finished third behind stablemate Rebel’s Romance in this race last year before producing a career best to claim the same spot in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Not seen since down the field in the H.H The Amir Trophy in February, he has claims if fit enough after this break.
Ralph Beckett’s Pride Of Arras took the notable scalp of Gethin when landing the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton and a similar display would give him an obvious chance as he heads up to Grade 1 company again.
Far Bridge took a Grade 3 on his last outing but was behind El Cordobes in this race last season, while the Ed Walker-trained Fort George has claims on the pick of his form.
Best of the rest
The day begins with Grade 1 action from Australia, where Guest House and St Gotthard contest the Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill (7.05am).
Back on home soil, Zarakova tops six runners in Ripon’s 2.16pm Lloyd Landrover Ripon Nursery Handicap. In opposition is Palace Legacy, who steps into handicap company for the first time.
Auteuil’s G3 Prix de Maisons-Laffitte at 2.50pm sees Leopard Du Berlais attempt to get back on track. The four-year-old won his first three starts by a combined 18 lengths but has failed to fire since. A market check could prove important.
Caragio was unlucky not to win the Leger Legends contest at Doncaster earlier this month, when trainer and owner Adam Kirby kicked for home slightly early aboard this son of Caravaggio. Down 1lb for that effort, he will be well-fancied in Southwell’s 8pm At The Races App Expert Tips Handicap.
Stateside, Sunlit Uplands, Esna, Cathedral and Kathynmarissa all line up for the G2 Flower Bowl at Belmont before Santa Anita plays host to the Goodwood Stakes at 12.30am.
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