1. Kentucky
Stokes took his official visit to Kentucky back in June of this year. The Wildcats offered him in November 2023, and since then, they have emerged as the frontrunners for the nation's No. 1 overall recruit.
Stokes signed a NIL deal with Nike last week, which sparked rumors. Since the Wildcats are a Nike school and the Cardinals aren’t, this has raised concerns. This program does not want to lose to their rival anymore, and the Cardinals found Stokes so early on that it would be unfortunate if they didn’t land the 5-star prospect and their city's best prospect in a long time. It will be an intense battle between the two rivals to land Stokes, and it will only spark this rivalry more.
Louisville landed talented recruits and transfers this offseason, making the program one of college basketball’s hottest destinations. With the recent success of the program, they have made themselves a very compelling landing spot for Stokes, but the Wildcats have appeared to take over the race, leaving many Louisville fans outraged.
Never doubt the power of feeling back at home, and this could play a significant factor in Stokes’ decision. However, all signs suggest that Kentucky is currently winning the race, and the Cardinals must intensify their recruiting efforts for their city and the Nation's No. 1 overall recruit.
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For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.