It looks like Kentucky may be on the outside looking in for one of the state’s top basketball prospects. Five-star point guard Tay Kinney, a native of Newport (KY) and member of the 2026 class, is now widely expected to pick Kansas when he announces his college choice later this month.
According to Joe Tipton of Rivals, Kinney is currently projected at a 60% confidence level to commit to the Jayhawks, marking a big shift in momentum away from Kentucky and Louisville.
Kinney, who plays at Overtime Elite in Atlanta, has been one of the most heavily recruited players in the country. At one point, most believed his decision would come down to staying in-state with Kentucky or Louisville. But after his official visit to Kansas in late August, the Jayhawks have surged ahead in his recruitment.
The highly regarded guard is set to make his announcement on September 28 at 1:15 PM ET, which will be broadcast on CBS Sports HQ and the CBS Sports College Basketball YouTube channel. That means Big Blue Nation will be able to watch live as the Kentucky native reveals his choice.
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope did his best to stay in the mix, making an in-home visit earlier this month. However, the Wildcats’ staff has shifted more of its focus to another elite guard in the class, five-star Deron Rippey Jr., signaling that they may not be fully confident in Kinney’s recruitment.
Of course, recruiting can always be unpredictable. Factors like NIL opportunities and last-minute pitches can still swing things before decision day. But right now, the signs are pointing strongly toward Kansas, meaning Kentucky faces an uphill climb to keep the state’s top point guard close to home.
