Kentucky basketball finds itself in an enviable position, named as a top-three finalist for two of the most dynamic forwards in the 2026 class: No. 1 prospect Tyran Stokes and 5-star athlete Christian Collins. With both players listed as power forwards, the natural question is: can they actually play together?
After a deep dive into their respective scouting reports, the answer isn’t just “yes.” It’s that they could form one of the most terrifying and complementary forward duos in the country.
Can Christian Collins and Tyran Stokes play together at Kentucky?
While
both are forwards, their games do not truly overlap. Tyran Stokes is a 6-foot-7, 230-pound wrecking ball. He is a “point forward” in the truest sense of the definition, who can initiate the offense. His scouting report praises his guard-like playmaking, his ability to create off the dribble, and his “innate understanding of how to instinctively find a path to the rim.”
Stokes is a power player who wants the ball in his hands, capable of taking a defensive rebound (he averaged 10 in the EYBL) and leading the break himself. While his shooting is a “swing skill” (36% from three), his primary role is to be a physical, downhill creator.
Christian Collins, on the other hand, is a different kind of athlete. At 6-foot-8 with a 7-foot-plus wingspan, he is described as a “mobile, and a very fluid mover.” His scouting report highlights his impact without the ball.
Collins is at his best “flying around the court, asserting himself on the glass” and “being active defensively.” He is a high-motor finisher, transition runner, and defensive eraser who can guard multiple positions. His offense is currently a work in progress, as he’s not yet a primary shot creator.
The fit is almost perfect. In a modern, positionless offense, you could easily play Stokes at the 3 and Collins at the 4. Stokes would function as the primary creator, using his power to draw in defenses and find open teammates, while Collins would be the ultimate “rover,” crashing the offensive glass, running the floor for dunks, and locking down the opponent’s best forward.
They are not two PFs; they are a creator and a finisher, a bully and a slasher. Together, they could be a defensive and transitional nightmare for the rest of the SEC.
Get it done, Mark.
