Kansas signee Taylen Kinney showed exactly why he’s one of the top guards in the country.
The McDonald’s All-American poured in 32 points to push Rod Wave Elite into the semifinals, doing it with eye-popping efficiency. Kinney shot 11-for-14 from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range, finishing around 80 percent overall. He added three rebounds and three assists in a complete performance. It wasn’t just the scoring total; it was how efficiently he did it.
Bill Self has described Kinney as a “scoring point”, a guard who can run a team but also take over when needed. That balance was on full display in the semifinal-clinching win. He didn’t force shots, rarely wasted dribbles and made quick decisions when help defenders rotated. For Kansas, it’s another encouraging sign.
Kinney was recently named a McDonald’s All-American and is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 point guard by 247Sports. Performances like this back up the billing. He continues to show he can thrive in big moments against high-level competition.
As he prepares for the McDonald’s All-American Game in March, Kinney is building momentum at the right time. More importantly for the Jayhawks, he is proving he can deliver when it matters most.
Taylen Kinney Named McDonald’s All-American as Stokes Also Makes Team After KU Visit
Kansas men's basketball added another key to its recruiting class Monday when incoming and signed guard Taylen Kinney was named to the 2026 McDonald's All-American Game roster.
The announcement, released today, confirmed Kinney as one of the nation’s top high school seniors. The elite showcase will be played on March 31 in Phoenix and televised nationally on ESPN.
Kansas also had another familiar name on the list. Five-star forward and number one recruit Tyran Stokes earned All-American honors as well. Stokes recently visited Lawrence this weekend for the BYU game and spent time around the program, but he has not yet made a college commitment.
Both Stokes and Kinney were announced as McDonald's All-Americans after visiting KU vs. BYU on Saturday.
Top Recruits In House For BYU Kansas Showdown at Allen Fieldhouse
The spotlight Saturday night inside Allen Fieldhouse will stretch beyond the court and to the future of Kansas men's basketball. Three elite recruits are expected to attend when Kansas hosts BYU, adding recruiting buzz to one of the Big 12’s biggest games of the season.
Headlining the group is five-star wing Tyran Stokes, an uncommitted standout from Seattle and Rainier Beach High School. Kansas is among several national powers pursuing Stokes, along with Kentucky, Oregon and Louisville.
Two future Jayhawks are also expected in the building. Guard Taylen Kinney, a 2026 signee from Atlanta, and forward Javon Bardwell, a 2027 small forward from Overtime Elite, are slated to watch the matchup.
The timing works in Kansas’ favor. The game marks the program’s 1,000th men’s contest at Allen Fieldhouse and has already drawn ESPN College GameDay to Lawrence, setting the stage for a packed and loud environment that coaches often lean on in recruiting battles.
For Stokes, Kinney and Bardwell, the visit provides a look at Big 12 intensity on one of college basketball’s most famous floors. For Kansas fans, it is another look into the future of Kansas basketball.