Taylen Kinney, one of the Top prospects in the 2026 college basketball recruiting class, has taken another step forward in his recruitment — and the University of Kentucky is still in the mix.
The 6-foot-1 point guard, a native of Kentucky and one of the nation’s most electric young talents, recently revealed the eight programs he’s still considering as he nears a college decision. Among them: Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats, as well as Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, Miami (FL), Oregon, and Texas.
This announcement trims down his original list of 12 schools, cutting Auburn, Purdue, Tennessee, and Xavier from contention.
A Rising Star from Kentucky Roots
Before emerging on the national stage, Kinney made a name for himself playing for Newport High School in Northern Kentucky. He began his varsity career remarkably early, suiting up as an eighth grader. Over three seasons with the Newport Wildcats, Kinney scored 1,220 points, earned All-State recognition, and led his team to back-to-back appearances in the KHSAA Sweet 16 state tournament in 2023 and 2024.
One of his most notable achievements came in 2024, when he guided Newport to a championship in the prestigious All “A” Classic, a statewide tournament for smaller high schools in Kentucky.
Elite Competition at Overtime Elite
Now entering his final year of high school, Kinney is continuing his development at the professional-style Overtime Elite (OTE) program in Atlanta, Georgia. This unique basketball academy has become a launchpad for top-tier talent, including former Kentucky standout Rob Dillingham and incoming UK freshman Jasper Johnson — another Kentucky-born guard who teamed up with Kinney on OTE’s RWE squad.
In the 2024-25 OTE season, Kinney posted standout numbers:
20.1 points per game
5.0 assists per game
4.0 rebounds per game
2.3 steals per game
His all-around game and competitive edge have solidified his status as the No. 1 point guard in the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, which also lists him as the No. 16 overall recruit nationally.
What’s Next for Kinney?
As Kinney enters his senior season with Overtime Elite, the attention around his college decision continues to grow. With Kentucky still firmly in the picture, Mark Pope and his staff will no doubt make a strong push to keep this homegrown star within the Bluegrass State.
Landing Kinney would mark a major recruiting win for Pope as he reshapes the Wildcats program with both in-state pride and national ambition.
Stay tuned for more updates as Kinney’s recruitment unfolds.