OTR Hoops News: Five-star Point Guard commits to Kansas – September 29, 2025

OTR Hoops News: Five-star Point Guard Taylen Kinney commits to Kansas

By: Ross Van De Griek

Since joining Overtime Elite in 2024, five-star point guard Taylen Kinney has been playing on the nation’s biggest stages, as well as competing in different countries. On Sunday, Kinney made his college announcement at his old high school in his hometown of Newport, Kentucky, that he has committed to Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks.

He chose the Jayhawks over six finalists that included Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, and Oregon. Kinney took official visits to each of the finalists.

Kinney is known for his playmaking abilities from the point guard position, as well as having a creative handle that allows him to score in a variety of ways. On the defensive end, he is very aggressive when it comes to guarding the ball, and he is very disciplined, as he can stay in front of his man without fouling. His long wingspan allows him to be very active in the passing lanes as well, where he can turn steals into scores on the offensive end. He is an active rebounder for his size as well, standing at just 6-foot-2, can push the ball in transition, and is continuing to be an accurate passer.

Last season, Kinney played for the Overtime Elite developmental program where he averaged 20.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.

During the Grassroots season, Kinney played for Wildcat Select, which is a part of the Adidas 3SSB Circuit, averaging 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists per game.

Kinney is the first Jayhawk commit for the upcoming recruiting cycle, as well as marking back-to-back seasons where the Jayhawks have landed the top-ranked player for their specific position during the 2024-2025 season, Kansas landed the top-overall-ranked player in Darryn Peterson.