Jayhawks' future stars, Taylen Kinney and Cydnee Bryant, showcased flashes of brilliance on the national stage, hinting at exciting seasons ahead.
Future Jayhawks Get Taste of Spotlight at McDonald’s All-American Game
The McDonald’s All-American Game always gives a glimpse into the future of college basketball, and for Kansas fans, Tuesday night offered an early look at two incoming Jayhawks on a big stage in Glendale, Arizona.
Five-star guard Taylen Kinney represented KU on the men's side, coming off the bench for the East squad in an 86-71 loss to the West. While the box score won’t jump off the page, Kinney still flashed the kind of playmaking ability that made him one of the top guards in the 2026 class.
He made his presence felt early with a high-IQ defensive read, jumping an outlet pass before taking it coast-to-coast for a right-handed dunk. It was the kind of quick decision-making Kansas head coach Bill Self values. Later, just before halftime, Kinney showed off his scoring upside, knocking down a tough step-back three from the left corner over 7-footer Arafan Diané to tie the game.
Kinney finished with five points on 2-for-8 shooting, along with two rebounds, three assists, two steals and three turnovers in just under 15 minutes. Not perfect, but in an all-star setting loaded with elite talent, the flashes were there.
Ranked as the No. 2 point guard and No. 13 overall prospect in the 2026 class, Kinney chose Kansas over a long list of high-major programs, including Purdue, Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas. His blend of athleticism and instincts should fit naturally in KU’s system.
On the women's side, four-star forward Cydnee Bryant also got her opportunity, playing 11 minutes off the bench for the West in a 76-63 loss to the East. Bryant struggled to find her rhythm offensively, going 0-for-5 from the field, but still contributed with a rebound in limited action.
The 6-foot-4 forward is one of the more intriguing additions to KU’s women’s program, not just for basketball, but for volleyball as well. Bryant chose Kansas in part because of the opportunity to be a true dual-sport athlete, along with strong relationships with both volleyball coach Matt Ulmer and women’s basketball coach Brandon Schneider.
Bryant is ranked No. 30 nationally and one of the top centers in her class, making her a key piece for the Jayhawks moving forward.
Even if the stat lines were modest, both future Jayhawks got valuable experience on one of the biggest high school stages.
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