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Five-Star PG Taylen Kinney Commits to Kansas Live on CBS Sports HQ

He cited a promised lead role under Bill Self as the deciding factor.

Overview

  • The Class of 2026 guard is a 247Sports Composite five-star, ranked among the top point guards nationally, including No. 1 by 247Sports and No. 2 at his position and No. 17 overall in the Composite.
  • Kinney plays for Overtime Elite in Atlanta and averaged 20.1 points and five assists last season.
  • On the broadcast, he said Self told him he would play immediately and lead the team, and he pointed to Jacque Vaughn’s development background as a draw.
  • He chose the Jayhawks over Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville and Oregon.
  • The commitment is Kansas’ first in the 2026 class and positions Kinney as a central piece for a reworked 2026–27 backcourt, with Darryn Peterson widely projected as a one-and-done and transfers Melvin Council Jr. and Jayden Dawson in their final seasons.