The 2025–26 college basketball season has officially tipped off, and most fans are locked in on the action that is unfolding on campus courts. But look a little further down the pipeline, and there’s a storm brewing in the high school basketball scene. Programs across the country are already circling the Class of 2026, and at the center of the hype and drama is the biggest name of them all: Tyran Stokes.

According to SportsCenter NEXT, ESPN’s official high school sports page, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High School dropped a bombshell on Wednesday that shocked the entire basketball community. The No. 1 player in the Class of 2026, as ranked by both 247Sports and ESPN, has officially withdrawn from the school.

“Notre Dame High School acknowledges Tyran Stokes’ decision to withdraw and explore new opportunities,” Notre Dame High School Athletic Director Alec Moss said in a statement. “We appreciate the contributions he made to our basketball program and community during his time here. We wish Tyran all the best as he pursues his future goals, and we are confident he will find success.”

According to analyst Greg Waddle, Tyran Stokes’ departure may be far more complicated than a routine transfer, which is usually common among high school athletes during the summer break. In a post on X, Waddle shared a snippet from an article suggesting that Stokes had been dealing with disciplinary issues at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, including reported altercations with other students. The article also claimed that he was suspended earlier this season, causing him to miss multiple high school football games, and noted that he hadn’t been to school at all this week.

Yes, football games. Stokes isn’t just a basketball standout. He’s also been suiting up on the gridiron for Notre Dame. That’s why some people were already throwing his name in with the likes of LeBron James, Allen Iverson, and Jalen Suggs as a potential two-sport star. But unlike them, who were already dominating in both arenas as teens, Stokes is still at the very beginning of that journey when it comes to being a football star after making his debut this October.

For now, though, all eyes are on where Tyran Stokes goes from here.

What’s next for Tyran Stokes?

According to Sports Illustrated’s Tarek Fattal, Stokes is expected to target a national powerhouse prep school as his next stop. There’s also been speculation that he could pursue football more seriously, despite being the top basketball prospect in the country. But for now, that seems unlikely. Why?

Because according to Bleacher Report, Tyran Stokes has already narrowed down his college options to three finalists: Kentucky, Kansas, and Oregon. The Kentucky native has reportedly taken official visits to all three programs, signaling he’s nearing a decision.

It’s not exactly shocking to see Stokes tied to two Nike-backed schools like Kentucky and Oregon after signing his NIL deal with the brand. That connection also offers a hint that his future is most likely still tied to basketball and not football. So for now, we believe that Stokes will land at a top-tier prep program and stay the course as the No. 1 basketball recruit in the nation.

But there’s another path Stokes could take: Overtime Elite. If he heads in that direction, there’s a good chance he links up with his close friend Taylen Kinney, who’s already playing for Rod Wave Elite in the OTE system. So, Stokes is clearly keeping all options on the table. So it will be interesting to see what decision he takes next.