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UNC Basketball: Top-Ranked Recruit Announces In-State Transfer

Five-star UNC basketball target Tyran Stokes is heading to Southern California for his junior year of high school.
Matt Giles|
UNC basketball recruiting target Tyran Stokes
UNC basketball recruiting target Tyran Stokes | Andrew West/The News-Press / USA TODAY

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North Carolina Tar Heels

UNC basketball is in contention for the top-ranked prospects on both the 2025 and 2026 recruiting trails. Five-star forwards AJ Dybantsa, No. 1 among the nation's rising high school seniors, and Tyran Stokes, sitting atop the 2026 rankings ever since Dybantsa's reclassification to 2025 back in the fall, spent last season at powerhouse Prolific Prep (Calif.) just north of San Francisco.

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But each of the heralded teammates has decided to transfer for next season.

Dybantsa, who received an offer from UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis around the same time as his announced reclass, revealed his move to Utah Prep in late May.

And on Saturday afternoon, Stokes made public his decision to transfer to Notre Dame High School, located just outside Los Angeles in Sherman Oaks, for his junior campaign.

Shortly after advertising his transfer, the 6-foot-7, 235-pound enforcer and the 6-foot-9, 200-pound Dybantsa combined for 46 points in their Oakland Soldiers' 23-point victory at the prestigious Peach Jam prep showcase in North Augusta, S.C.

Tyran Stokes grew up a UNC basketball fan. So, chances are Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels, who extended an offer to him four weeks ago, will remain a contender in the high-profile sweepstakes.

For now, Stokes boasts 18 offers, per 247Sports, and has neither named finalists nor provided a decision timeline.

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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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