Basketball

Kansas Twins Among Top Contenders for 2026 U18 National Team

Davion Adkins and Taylen Kinney headline a 19‑player roster heading to Colorado Springs for a final evaluation before the FIBA AmeriCup in Mexico

The road to the 2026 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup is taking shape as USA Basketball narrows its pool to 19 promising athletes. After a three‑day training camp in Colorado Springs, the governing body will soon announce a 12‑player squad that will travel to Leon, Mexico, for the international tournament.

A Squad Built for Growth

Two Kansas natives stand out in that final group. Davion Adkins, a 6‑foot‑9 forward from Arlington, Texas, arrives as the 64th‑ranked recruit of the 2026 class according to ESPN.com, while point guard Taylen Kinney, a 6‑foot‑2 standout from Newport, Kentucky, holds the 13th spot in the same rankings.

Both players have already tasted national‑team action. They participated in USA Men’s Junior National Team minicamps in 2024 and 2025, and Kinney also joined the 2025 U19 training camp. Their experience adds depth to a roster that includes Bo Ogden, the only finalist with prior international triumph after securing gold at the 2024 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup.

The evaluation process is overseen by head coach Anthony Grant, with assistance from Matt Langel and Nate Oats. Their guidance will help shape a team that opens Group A play against Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, with the United States scheduled to meet Argentina at 6:30 p.m. on June 1.

Beyond the on‑court story, the upcoming competition promises to showcase the next generation of American talent on a global stage, with fans eager to see how these young athletes translate their collegiate promise into international success.

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