With the 2026 NBA Draft now concluded, it’s time to take a look at next year’s potential No. 1 pick: Tyran Stokes.
Is this way too early? And also extremely premature? Yes, but that’s kind of the point seeing as we can track just how much things can, and probably will, change over the course of a calendar year.
Before we get into Stokes, it’s important to note that the 2027 draft class, in its entirety, is broadly viewed as a poor one that cannot compete with the recent draft classes of 2023, 2025 and 2026, the latter of which is facing extremely high expectations.
Stokes, 18, is a 6-foot-7, 230-pound wing from Rainier Beach High School in Seattle who has committed to Kansas. He’s the top-ranked player in his class, and is big, wide and physical, which might be attributable to his time on his high school football team.
Whether he’s worth being the top pick at the NBA level remains to be seen. He’s a gifted ball-handler for his size, but lacks proper touch as a shooter.
He can set up his teammates, and quite wonderfully on occasion, but as the competition level increases, it becomes crucial that he understands how to create space for himself to open up passing lanes.
At this stage, Stokes looks like a more powerful Tobias Harris, with a worse jumper, than he does LeBron James.
That may sound harsh, but let’s flip it around.
If Stokes can develop the finer points of offensive basketball, such as generating real gravity as a shooter, that comparison suddenly begins to work in his favor.
Assume, for a second, Harris suddenly was more explosive and a far better playmaker, while retaining the ability to get up 3-point shots. That’s very likely an All-Star-caliber player who can help a team get into the postseason.
As such, Stokes has upside. It’s just a question of where that upside leaves him. Is he seen more as a complementary player to an already established star, or does he have the potential to become the featured star on a team?
At 18, it’s difficult to find an answer for that question at this point. But as tough as it sounds, NBA teams are just a year away from being on the clock, which means the countdown for Stokes is on.
One final note on Stokes, which may be worth considering: Given his athleticism and size, there could be a pathway for him to become a playmaking power forward, which — in theory — should minimize the effect of his lack of shooting.
Yes, it’d be great if he turns into a plug-and-play prospect, but in case he doesn’t, there’s a way for him to have an impact.
He averaged 21 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists in high school, and that lacks the pop usually associated with potential Tier 1 prospects.
But stats aren’t everything and contextual skills are far more important, but having said that, you have to wonder if he’s going to take what he wants on the floor when arrives at Kansas.
For now, the No. 1 ranking is his to lose. But that doesn’t mean it’s even remotely safe.
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