Southern California high school basketball hasn’t tipped off yet, but major headlines are surfacing early. The nation’s top high school basketball player, Tyran Stokes, has officially withdrawn from Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks High School in Los Angeles, as confirmed by the school’s statement.
Why Did Tyran Stokes Withdraw From Los Angeles School?
Stokes, a 6-foot-7 small forward out of Sherman Oaks, California, is the No. 1-ranked recruit in the country with offers from Kansas, Duke, Louisville, Oregon, USC, and others (according to 247Sports).
However, not too long after he officially narrowed down his college options (Kentucky, Oregon, and Kansas), he made the surprise decision to withdraw from his high school.
“Notre Dame High School acknowledges Tyran Stokes’ decision to withdraw and explore new opportunities. 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,” shared athletic director Alec Moss.
No. 1 player in the country, Tyran Stokes has withdrawn from Notre Dame High School to “explore new opportunities,” the school confirms. pic.twitter.com/SeCYHhWzN5
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) November 5, 2025
Stokes’ next destination is a mystery, though most expect him to land at a powerhouse prep school on the national circuit. His exit comes after reportedly serving a suspension for conduct issues, including on-campus altercations, and missing several school days and football games.
Observers noticed signs that something was brewing in recent weeks, from his absence at the team photo shoot to the cancellation of the school’s midnight madness event, and reports that he was not seen at school on Monday, Nov. 3.
Stokes made waves by also joining the school’s football team mid-season, making his debut September 26 against Culver City and playing in just a few remaining games. Explaining his sudden passion for football, Stokes said: “I had to explain to my Mom and agent that this is my last time I get to actually be a kid. Once I go to college, everything is looked at as a business.”
For now, his decision is one of the biggest stories in high school basketball, and coaches and fans around the country will be following his next move closely.
As the news broke of Stokes’ decision, some college basketball fans couldn’t help but take to social media to comment on the move. Multiple fans compared Stokes’ decision to that of a college football player hitting the transfer portal.
“He hit the portal,” said one.
“Portal madness hitting early,” added another.
He hit the portal😭😭
— Hawkeyes 🔛🔝 (@Kellan466320) November 5, 2025
“We hitting the portal in high school now?,” asked another.
We hitting the portal in high school now?
— CollegeCourtTalk (@CollegeCourtT) November 5, 2025
As mentioned above, despite this high school move, there are strong beliefs that Stokes will still end up in Kentucky, one of the three schools he narrowed his search down to. He took an official visit to Lexington in June and has been linked to Mark Pope’s Wildcats for quite some time.
So despite “hitting the portal,” Stokes’ ultimate move might still see him as a Wildcat.