Taylen Kinney, a 6‑foot‑2 guard from Newport, Kentucky, has earned a place on the 2026 USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team, a roster that will travel to Leon, Mexico for the FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup scheduled from June 1‑7.
A Rising Star
Kinney arrives after a breakout season in which he averaged 18.8 points, 6.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game, a performance that helped him secure the 2026 McDonald’s All‑American honor.
Under the direction of head coach Anthony Grant, the squad is complemented by assistants Matt Langel and Nate Oats, who bring a blend of collegiate experience and developmental insight.
Road to the AmeriCup
The tournament will open with Group A play against Argentina at 6:30 p.m. Central Time on June 1, followed by a matchup with Mexico at 9 p.m. CT on June 2 and a contest against Brazil at 4 p.m. CT on June 4. All games will be streamed live on YouTube.com/FIBA.
A Tradition of Excellence
USA Basketball enters the competition with a storied legacy, boasting 11 gold medals in 13 editions of the event and a streak of seven consecutive titles dating back to 2010.
The top four teams from the group stage will advance to the semifinals on June 6, with the medal games set for June 7. The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup in Pardubice, Czechia, where the top four earn a berth.