One of the most electric guards who hails from Northern Kentucky has made his college decision.
After months of speculation and official visits, former Newport basketball standout Taylen Kinney has decided he’ll continue his playing career at Kansas in 2026.
Kinney narrowed his wide range of offers down to six recently — Arkansas, Louisville, Kentucky, Kansas, Oregon and Indiana, ultimately choosing to play for the Jayhawks. Kinney made the college commitment live at 1:15 p.m. on CBS Sports HQ in Newport High School’s auditorium.
Kinney, a dynamic 6-foot-2 point guard, first turned heads at Newport in seventh grade playing for Rod Snapp’s Wildcats squad. His rise began from there. He was a driving force in Newport’s back-to-back 9th Region titles in 2023 and ’24. He averaged 17.5 points and 4.0 rebounds for the Wildcats in the 2023-24 season. His stock continued to rise after heading to Overtime Elite in Atlanta for his junior year. Kinney is ranked anywhere from 10-20 from all the major recruiting websites and the top ranked point guard in the country for the 2026 class. He’s one of 15 players with a five-star prospect grade in the 247Sports rankings for the 2026 class.
Kinney is a versatile guard that can get to the paint with his bursts and has improved his perimeter shooting. His move to Overtime Elite in Atlanta for his junior year really elevated his game — and his national profile. Against elite competition, Kinney sharpened his playmaking, became a reliable outside shooter, and developed into a two-way force capable of impacting games at the highest level.
The decision to commit to Kansas continues the program’s rich tradition of landing top backcourt talent. Head coach Bill Self made Kinney a priority early, selling him on a system that has long produced NBA-ready guards.
Recruiting insiders view Kinney as one of the most polished prospects in the class. His blend of speed, creativity, and toughness makes him a nightmare matchup for defenses. With his commitment, Kansas secures a floor general who can take control from day one in Lawrence.
Back in Newport, his rise has been a point of pride for the community. From local gyms to the national spotlight, Kinney’s journey reflects both his work ethic and his willingness to embrace challenges.
Now, he’ll bring that same drive to Allen Fieldhouse, where he’ll don the crimson and blue and aim to add his name to Kansas’ storied legacy.
*This story will be updated later.