The UNC basketball program has extended an offer to Class of 2026 Overtime Elite guard Taylen Kinney.
Tar Heel Illustrated's David Sisk shared on X (formely Twitter):
Elite 2026 guard, Taylen Kinney, has picked up a North Carolina offer per OTE. @HeelIllustrated
— David Sisk (@CoachDavidSisk) March 1, 2025
Per 247Sports, Kinney is listed as No. 14 nationally, No. 4 at his position, and No. 2 in the state. The Newport, Kentucky native plays for Overtime Elite's RWE squad.
Through the 2024-25 season, Kinney averaged 20.1 points, four rebounds, and five assists per game to go along with 2.3 steals.
247Sports National Basketball Director Eric Bossi dove into Kinney's game on the court:
"247Sports has been high on class of 2026 point guard Taylen Kinney since getting a good look at him during the spring and summer and he showed why he's moved all the way up to No. 20 in the 2026 rankings. He looks to be exactly what any program would want in a college point guard."
At a little over 6-foot-1 in shoes, Kinney isn't the biggest guard but he's adding strength and his long arms (6-foot-7 wingspan) allow him to functionally perform bigger than his size. He probes defenses for driving lanes, is a dangerous shooter from deep and looked to be the best passer in the building. He reads ball screens like a seasoned veteran, whips one-handed push passes in transition with either hand and looks to be a pretty salty three-range scorer.
On top of all of that, Kinney has great instincts on defense. He uses his long arms and slides very well laterally to pick ball handlers' pockets or get into passing lanes for deflections and steals."
Kinney would be a great addition UNC's roster in the future. RJ Davis is currently in his last year of college ball and freshman Ian Jackson has a high chance of being a one-and-done by the end of season. The backcourt will be in need of replenishing without a doubt.
Nonetheless, Coach Davis' 2025 recruiting class contains Isaiah Denis and Derek Dixon both who can play the handle the ball but time will tell where they will be once Kinney makes it to college.
UNC has been known to have great guards (Michael Jordan, for example) and Kinney has the possibility of becoming a part of the rich history.