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Mother of Top-Ranked UNC Basketball Target Addresses Reclass Chatter

It sounds like longtime UNC basketball offer holder Tyran Stokes has never really considered arriving in college next season.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball recruiting target Tyran Stokes
UNC basketball recruiting target Tyran Stokes / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Notre Dame High School (Calif.) five-star power forward Tyran Stokes was one of the earliest UNC basketball offer recipients in the 2026 class and now stacks up at No. 1 overall among the nation's junior preps.

ALSO READ: Incoming UNC Rookies Among Top 60 in Final Rankings

Insider chatter regarding Stokes' potential reclassification to 2025 has been abundant since last summer. But according to his mother, Keaira Stokes, there's zero reason for reclass talk to continue, not to mention that it wasn't an option in the first place.

"That's never been on the table," she explained to The Kansas City Star's Shreyas Laddha this week. "He's not even NCAA-eligible [yet] because it's never what we wanted to do.

"So, he has to finish his senior year."

Meanwhile, Stokes has yet to publicly eliminate fifth-year UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels from contention in his recruitment. He hasn't cut any suitors, as he hasn't formally named favorites.

It appears two other bluebloods, Kansas and Kentucky, may well be in the lead for his coveted services at this juncture. The Jayhawks hosted Stokes over the weekend, and the Wildcats have locked in a mid-May official visit from the 6-foot-7, 245-pound versatile bruiser.

Plus, it's worth noting that Tyran Stokes hails from Louisville, Ky., so it should come as no surprise that the Louisville Cardinals also remain hopeful, along with a long list of other high-profile programs.

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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