Newport High School is poised for a dramatic turnaround as it welcomes a quartet of promising talents ahead of the 2026‑27 campaign, a move that could reshape its fortunes in the competitive 9th Region.
A Strategic Overhaul for Newport
At the center of the rebuild stands Ben McKinney, a 6‑foot‑11, 195‑pound four‑star prospect whose interior dominance was on display in the Nike EYBL Scholastic League. The Indiana‑born big man brings elite rebounding, shot‑blocking and a polished post game, and he does so with a résumé that includes multiple NCAA Division I scholarship offers from California, Akron and Oral Roberts.
Joining McKinney are guards Jayden Wilkins and forward Keith Starks, each adding a distinct skill set to the mix. Wilkins, a 6‑2 senior combo guard, carries NBA pedigree as the son of 10‑year veteran Damien Wilkins, while Starks returns to Newport after a year in Florida and a stint at Xavier University’s summer camp, bringing size, versatility and a hunger to re‑establish his high‑school pedigree.
The program’s recent history offers a backdrop for optimism: a 21‑10 record the previous season ended abruptly in the first round of the 9th Region Tournament, leaving a clear opening for improvement. With the new additions, coaches see an opportunity to shift from a promising squad to a genuine regional powerhouse.
McKinney is expected to anchor the defense, altering shots and controlling the boards, while Wilkins will provide backcourt depth and playmaking, and Starks will add front‑court scoring and rebounding. Together, the trio is projected to transform the team’s identity from a perimeter‑oriented group to a balanced, inside‑out attack.
If the early chemistry translates into on‑court cohesion, Newport could emerge as a dark horse in the region’s playoff picture, challenging traditional contenders and potentially rewriting the narrative of what a small‑market high school can achieve in the coming season.