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Top recruit signs Nike NIL deal; Kansas basketball is out of the running

Related Topics: Kansas, Nike, Bill Self, Ricky Stokes

Kansas basketball is out of the running for the top prospect of this recruiting class. Tyran Stokes signed a Name, Image, and Likeness deal with Nike, eliminating KU, which is an Adidas school.

This ends a lot of speculation on whether Kansas head coach Bill Self still had a chance to reel in Stokes. The top Nike schools that were on Stokes' list include Kentucky and Louisville.

Top 2026 recruits Tyran Stokes and Brandon McCoy have signed NIL shoe deals with Nike, the brand announced. https://t.co/dy7SO3H14l pic.twitter.com/Uh3mtoGPC5

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) October 3, 2025

Kansas can turn its full attention to other recruiting targets

With Stokes, the top-ranked recruit according to On3, out of the picture, Self and his staff can focus on other prospects.