Darryn Peterson went No. 2 in 2026 draft. Will KU’s Tyran Stokes go No. 1 in 2027?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Darryn Peterson was selected No. 2 overall by Utah in the recent NBA Draft.
- Early 2027 mock drafts list KU freshman Tyran Stokes as the projected No. 1 pick.
- Analysts note concerns about Stokes' consistency, shooting, turnovers and maturity.
The Kansas basketball program for the second consecutive year is expected to provide the NBA with one of its top picks in the league’s annual draft of college and international players.
Authors of early 2027 mock drafts have deemed KU freshman Tyran Stokes the overwhelming favorite to be selected No. 1 during draft proceedings in late June 2027 at a yet-to-be determined venue.
This follows Tuesday’s first round of the 2026 draft in which KU freshman sensation Darryn Peterson was selected No. 2 overall by Utah.
Stokes, a 6-foot-7, 230-pound shooting guard/small forward out of Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, last season averaged 31.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 4.0 steals in leading Rainier Beach to a 29-1 record and Washington Class 3A state title.
The Louisville native who entered summer school on KU’s campus as No. 1 ranked player in the class of 2026 by ESPN, Rivals and 247Sports, scored 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds with three assists and two blocks in the McDonald’s All-America game.
• CBS Sports’ Adam Finkelstein predicts Stokes will be the No. 1 overall pick in 2027 followed by Alabama sophomore Amari Allen, Arizona freshman Caleb Holt, Connecticut sophomore Braylon Mullins and Arizona senior Motiejus Krivas.
“Stokes is the most naturally talented prospect coming out of the high school ranks by a wide margin. He’s built like an NFL tight end and can make plays with the ball like a guard. The key will be his consistency and maturity under some of the brightest lights in college basketball,” wrote Finkelstein.
• ESPN’s Jeremy Woo has Stokes No. 1 followed by Arkansas freshman Jordan Smith Jr., Holt, BYU freshman Bruce Branch III and Spain’s Stefan Joksimovic. Coincidentally, BYU had the No. 1 pick in the 2026 Draft as AJ Dybantsa went to the Washington Wizards with the top selection.
“Stokes has the all-around skill set to make the No. 1 spot firmly his but the door is open for other players to make their case,” wrote Woo.
“It’s clear his size, skill and vision separate him from his peers. The question is whether his production and winning impact at Kansas will back up the eye test with his long-range shooting, ability to limit turnovers and defensive engagement all areas for improvement. Whether Stokes lives up to billing in college — and whether he can assuage concerns around his maturity and behavior — will determine if he can stay the course at the top,” Woo added.
• Bleacher report’s Jonathan Wasserman has Stokes No. 1 followed by Holt, Smith, Joksimovic and Mullins.
“For a few years now, 2027 has been known as Tyran Stokes’ draft year. He’s separated himself with a blend of power, athleticism, three-level shotmaking flashes and playmaking versatility,” Wasserman wrote. “He can initiate offense, attack downhill and create matchup problems all over the floor.
“Stokes figures to play different roles at Kansas, either as an initiating point-wing or power forward given his creation and size/physicality. He operates with visible confidence and a vocal, assertive leadership style that some coaches love and others may view as abrasive. Stokes will start atop the board, but he’ll still have to earn it by next June by demonstrating enough consistency, shooting dependability and maturity,” Wasserman added.
• Sam Vecenie, veteran NBA writer from The Athletic, has Stokes No. 1 followed by Joksimovic, Smith, Holt and Mullins.
“Stokes is undeniably seen as the most talented player in the class. He has great size for a wing at 6 feet 7 with a 7-foot wingspan. He’s explosive, plays with force and can get downhill both in transition and in the half court,” wrote Vecenie. “He’s also more skilled than you expect when you first watch him, with the ability to make high-level passing reads. His jumper has improved over time, too. Stokes can impose his will on the game with his strength and athleticism. He’s a killer rebounder and a big-time playmaker on defense. He showcases all the attributes of a winning player outside of his wild decision-making, which can get his teams into trouble. He’s long been a turnover-prone player, and at times he can gamble too much on defense to try to get out on the break.”
• Bryan Kalbrosky of USA Today has Stokes the No. 4 pick of Round 1. Arkansas’ Smith is No. 1 followed by Branch, Holt, Stokes and Mullins. He did not make comments with his picks.
