No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes says Nike deal won’t impact college decision
By ADAM ZAGORIA
Back in October, No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes signed an NIL deal with Nike.
“I also want to work with Nike to connect with young athletes and give feedback on our footwear and apparel,” Stokes said then. “Not just from me, but from my community.”
Now that Stokes, the 6-foot-7 small forward from Seattle (WA) Rainier Beach who is the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2026, is nearing a college decision, he says his Nike deal won’t impact his college decision.
That is especially relevant since Kansas, the school for which Stokes has drawn all of his Crystal Ball picks on 247Sports.com, is an Adidas program, as is Washington.
Stokes is also considering Nike schools Oregon Kentucky and Vanderbilt.
“No. Look at Coop, he signed with New Balance and he went to Duke,” Stokes told Joe Tipton at the Hoophall Classic. I didn’t hear anything about that.”
After signing with Duke in November 2023, Cooper Flagg signed with New Balance the following summer.
Flagg went on to become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
At the Hoophall Classic, Stokes wowed college and NBA scouts by putting up 37 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals and 3 blocks on Sunday.
#1 player in the country Tyran Stokes just put up a ridiculous stat line at Hoophall Classic
— League Ready (@LeagueRDY) January 18, 2026
37 points 11 rebounds 5 assists 5 steals and 3 blocks pic.twitter.com/6aElbdo1hE
As for Stokes, he told Tipton of his impending decision: “It’s probably the biggest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life.”
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