On Friday, June 20, 2025, the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team held a youth camp at North Laurel High School in London. Mark Pope, the head coach of the United Kingdom, discussed how the tournament came together by EkkoArt
Kentucky Basketball Eyes Next Superstar! Five-Star Phenom Taylen Kinney Set for Big-Time Visit
Lexington is about to get electric. Starting Tuesday, the Wildcats are rolling out the red carpet for Taylen Kinney, a five-star point guard and one of the top-ranked recruits in the nation.
Standing at 6’1″, Kinney is the No. 14 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports — and his journey from a small-town Kentucky standout to national sensation is nothing short of wild.
He dominated early at Newport High School, making varsity as an 8th grader and leading his squad to back-to-back Sweet 16 state runs before heading to the elite-level Overtime Elite program in Atlanta. There, he teamed up with future UK star Jasper Johnson, and dropped 20.1 points, 5 assists, and 2.3 steals per game last season!
This isn’t just another visit — it could be the start of something huge for both Kinney and Kentucky. Could the Cats be landing their next great floor general?
All eyes are on Lexington. Don’t miss what happens next.
Overtime Elite Star Turned Social Media Sensation — Taylen Kinney Nears Major College Decision!
From hardwood to viral fame, Taylen Kinney isn’t just a five-star recruit — he’s a social media powerhouse, boasting over 850K TikTok followers and 320K on Instagram!
His rise through the ranks at Overtime Elite has made him a national name — and now, he’s closing in on a HUGE college choice. Kinney just dropped a top 15 schools list featuring heavyweights like Kentucky, Kansas, Alabama, and Louisville, but expect that list to shrink fast.
And here’s the kicker: Kinney is headed to Lexington this week — and it’s not his first time around UK’s program. Could this visit seal the deal for the Wildcats?
Kinney’s next move could shake up college basketball — and you’ll want front-row seats.
Taylen Kinney’s Long Kentucky Courtship Heats Up — Is a Commitment Coming?
Kentucky’s been eyeing Taylen Kinney for a while — and the connection runs deep.
The Wildcats offered the five-star point guard a scholarship back in August 2024 during an unofficial visit that included a detailed film session with Coach Mark Pope and his staff. But that wasn’t his first taste of Big Blue Nation.
Kinney was in the building for Big Blue Madness 2023, back when John Calipari was still in charge — and he’s made multiple returns to Rupp Arena since, including for Calipari’s emotional homecoming game against Arkansas in February.
Most recently, Pope, Cody Fueger, and Jason Hart took the recruitment to the next level with an in-home visit in April.
With this kind of consistent attention and momentum, the question isn’t if Kinney’s leaning toward Kentucky… it’s how soon he’ll make it official.
Coach Pope Scouts Taylen Kinney TWICE This Month — Is Kentucky Ready to Lock Him In?
The recruitment war for Taylen Kinney is heating up — and Kentucky’s all in.
Earlier this month, Mark Pope and his staff got two more close-up looks at the five-star sensation, first at the NBPA Top 100 Camp in South Carolina and then during tryouts for Team USA’s U-19 national squad. Pope wasn’t just watching — he was on the court as a coach, keeping tabs on Kinney and other top targets.
And while Kinney has already taken official visits to Purdue and Louisville, he’s headed to Oregon in September — meaning the window for UK to secure him may be shrinking fast.
With the spotlight on and Pope going all-out, could Kentucky be on the verge of landing one of the most electric guards in the 2026 class?
Adidas Deal Signed. EuroCamp Dominated. Kentucky Target Taylen Kinney is On a Whole New Level!
Taylen Kinney is stacking wins — on and off the court. The five-star guard just inked a major NIL deal with Adidas, cementing his status as one of high school basketball’s rising stars.
He’s been lighting it up on the Adidas 3Stripes AAU circuit with Wildcat Select and just wrapped up an international run at the 2025 Adidas EuroCamp in Italy, playing alongside top Kentucky targets Caleb Holt and Anthony Thompson — both part of UK’s 2026 radar.
Kinney’s ties to incoming UK freshman Malachi Moreno and long-standing chemistry with Jasper Johnson only add fuel to the speculation: Is Kentucky his next move?
He’s one of only 12 players in the 2026 class with a UK offer — and the Wildcats still haven’t landed a commitment. Could Kinney be the first domino to fall?
Stay tuned — this recruitment just got real.
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