Everyone Who Has Walked Through Rainier Beach’s Doors Became an NBA Star. Mark Pope Just Needs One to Say Yes.

Tyran Stokes attends Rainier Beach High School in Seattle — the same hallways that made Brandon Roy an All-Star, Isaiah Thomas a two-time All-Star, and Jamal Crawford a three-time Sixth Man of the Year. Mark Pope visited those hallways, delivered his pitch, and flew home without a commitment. Two days ago, Stokes posted ‘soon 🤫’ on social media, and now word is that Oregon has crashed back into the final three, his Lexington visit didn’t move the needle, and the 247Sports crystal ball still points to Kansas. Pope has nine players for 2026-27, a frontcourt hole that a 6-7 versatile wing like Stokes would solve perfectly, and no new portal options left because the portal closed while the whole sport was waiting on this kid. The decision is coming — and it might not go the way Kentucky hopes. But nobody in Lexington can quite bring themselves to say that out loud yet.