Did Kansas Jayhawks' Tyran Stokes Troll Home State After Defeating Kentucky?

For Kansas freshman Tyran Stokes, Tuesday night's matchup against Kentucky meant much more than another game on the schedule. Growing up in Louisville and having the Wildcats as one of his final recruiting options, Stokes had extra motivation entering the Champions Classic. After recording 23 points and 10 rebounds in Kansas' 89-69 victory, the freshman explained exactly what the opportunity meant to him.

The Kansas Jayhawks received an outstanding performance from freshman Tyran Stokes on Tuesday night, but the matchup against Kentucky carried an entirely different meaning for the highly touted recruit.

Kansas defeated Kentucky 89-69 in the Champions Classic in Chicago, with Stokes finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. However, his performance was about more than putting up impressive numbers against a ranked opponent.

For Stokes, Kentucky was one of the schools he seriously considered before ultimately deciding to play for Bill Self and the Jayhawks.

Following the victory, Stokes explained why the matchup was personal.

"I'm pretty sure everyone obviously knows. For me, it was up to Kansas and Kentucky for my last two schools," Stokes said, according to ESPN's Myron Metcalf. "I'm from Louisville. I had a long recruiting process with Kentucky, so obviously when I chose Kansas and I knew that game was going to be here, it was personal for sure."

Stokes made sure his decision to attend Kansas was clear, but he also emphasized that getting the victory as a team was what mattered most.

"But we got the win, played together great as a team. That's all that matters," Stokes added.

The freshman's connection to the matchup goes beyond recruiting. Stokes grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, where the rivalry between Louisville and Kentucky is a major part of the basketball culture. Although many of his family members supported either the Cardinals or Wildcats, Stokes explained that he grew up cheering for Louisville and North Carolina.

"Growing up, you know the tradition and the rivalry that was between Louisville and Kentucky," Stokes said. "So being from Louisville, I still got that same emotion as if I was playing for Louisville."

That background made Tuesday's opportunity even more special for Stokes, who understood the significance of playing against a program he grew up watching.

The five-star freshman certainly delivered when the lights were brightest. He scored 13 points in the first half to help Kansas establish a 46-36 halftime advantage before finishing with 23 points on 8-of-19 shooting. He also knocked down four three-pointers and consistently attacked Kentucky's defense.

According to KU Sports, Stokes also discussed how important it was to remain aggressive while playing within the team's offensive system.

Bill Self was impressed with how his freshman handled the emotions surrounding the matchup. Self admitted that he initially wondered whether Stokes might be too excited for the occasion, but he thought the young forward maintained his composure throughout the night.

"I actually thought he handled the moment better than I actually anticipated," Self said.

The performance also came with plenty of attention, as NBA scouts and executives were in attendance at the United Center to watch the nation's top freshman prospects.

According to the Associated Press, Stokes showed why he is considered one of the most talented players in the country while helping Kansas improve to 3-0.

For Kansas fans, Tuesday's performance was another reminder of the potential Stokes brings to Lawrence. His combination of scoring, rebounding and competitiveness gives Self another player capable of taking over games.

The Jayhawks will now turn their attention toward the Players Era Tournament next week, where Stokes will have another opportunity to showcase his abilities on a national stage. JayhawksRoundtable.