Taylen "Tay" Kinney recruitment saga has finally come to an end as Kinney announced Sunday that he has given his verbally committed to Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks.
The five-star Class of 2026 prospect chose the Jayhawks over Indiana, Louisville, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oregon.
Kinney is considered a five-star point guard and the No. 17 overall prospect from the 2026 cycle. Kinney is also rated as the No. 2 point guard and No. 1 player overall in the state of Georgia according to 247Sports. The Newport, Kentucky native recently transferred to Overtime Elite in Atlanta, Georgia.
On the main reasoning for Kinney's selection of Kansas over Indiana and others.
"Coach (Bill) Self told me I was going to get to play right when I stepped in; I was going to be the man," Kinney said when asked why he picked the Jayhawks. "He threw me the keys and said this is my team next year. He wants me to be there for 10 months and take the next step.
During the Overtime Elite's 2024-25 season, Kinney established himself as one of the top players in the league. Kinney averaged 20.1 points and five assists per game last season for the Overtime Elite developmental program in Atlanta. 247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelsteinreferred to Kinney as a "playmaking lead guard who is smooth and versatile with his attack."
As a sophomore, Kinney had a highly productive season at Newport (KY) HS. In 33 games, he averaged 17.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists, and shot 48.4 percent shooting from the field 41.4 percent on threes. He helped guide the Newport Wildcats to a 32-4 record, making it to the Sweet Sixteen of the 2024 KHSAA boys basketball playoffs.
Kinney was first offered by Mike Woodson staff, on Feb. 3, 2024 by Kinney on social media. He then was offered by new head coach Darian DeVries staff in the first month of his tenure in March. Kinney visited Bloomington the weekend of the football season opener, Aug. 29-31.
The Hoosiers only have one commitment in the 2026 class in Prince Alexander-Moody a four star recruit from Maryland. The class of 2027 did land four star guard Chase Branham on September 20th and is a consensus top-50 player in his class per the Rivals industry rankings, rated No. 42.