Tryan Stokes is the nation's No. 1 recruit in the 2026 cycle, and nearly every school is trying to target him. The top schools include Kansas, Kentucky, and Louisville.
Louisville basketball has been the favorite to land Stokes for quite some time, as he is a Louisville native, and his mom has stated they don't watch other schools. Stokes visited Louisville last year and has since visited Kentucky and Kansas.
While it appears to be a three-team race for Stokes, the Cardinals have been getting hints after hints that Stokes is coming home, and they might have just gotten the biggest hint yet.
Related: Tyran Stokes’ Mom just sent a loud message that gave Louisville an edge over Kentucky
No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes just dropped a massive hint toward Louisville Cardinals
Stokes was in a recent interview, and in the interview, he was asked what three reasons he would choose a school. When he answered, his first two answers were typical recruit answers as he broke down development and fans, but his last answer was said with a smirk and a smile on his face, and was clearly directed towards Louisville.
"Also, a school that's not gonna duck smoke," Stokes said with a smile on his face as he began to sway back and forth. "That's it. I don't like duck smoke, so I want everybody on that schedule, if I can get North Carolina or Duke, anybody on the schedule that is who I want."
— ⚜️Alan Thomas⚜️ (@CardN_AL) August 3, 2025
Stokes is hinting at when Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey sent a message in his press conference to the NCAA that Louisville won't "duck smoke."
"What I do want to do is make sure that when we get there, and the selection committee is looking at us, they know one thing, Louisville did not duck the smoke," Kelsey stated in his press conference. "They didn't duck the smoke. So, that was our approach this year."
Stokes is referring to this press conference, and it is clear as day. The smile on his face, and using the exact words, makes it clear that Stokes is hinting at Louisville, and now the Cardinals just have to seal the deal.
Stokes is saying development and fans are a box already checked for Louisville. He stated he wants to attend football and baseball games and experience high energy and devoted fans. Louisville is known to have one of the best fans in the nation, as recently they packed a football practice.
The Cardinals currently have the best chances to land Stoke per On3 Sports, and his mom stated that he wants to commit before his senior year starts. After he quoted Kelsey in this recent interview, the Cardinals might still have the lead in the recruiting race.
Related: Pat Kelsey's fiery message just set the tone for Louisville's championship push
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.