Taylen Kinney, a standout from Newport High School, has earned a spot on the USA Basketball U18 National Team that will travel to Leon, Mexico, for the FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup. The tournament, scheduled for early June, will bring together the nation’s top under‑18 prospects for a week of intense competition.
Kinney’s journey to this moment has been marked by consistent dominance on the high school stage. Over four varsity seasons he amassed 1,220 points, captured back‑to‑back Ninth Region titles in 2023 and 2024, and capped his prep career with a 2024 All‑A state championship. After two years in the Overtime Elite circuit in Atlanta, he formally committed to Kansas University on September 28, 2025, signaling his intent to blend collegiate development with his professional aspirations.
Before heading to Mexico, Kinney spent time at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, where he trained alongside elite athletes and refined the skills that caught national selectors’ eyes. The camp served as a final proving ground for the roster that will represent the United States on the international stage.
Family Legacy on the Court
Also earning a place on the squad is DeMarcus Henry, son of former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry. Henry, who now attends Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona, brings a deep athletic pedigree to the team. His older brother, Chris Henry Jr., plays football at Ohio State, while his sister Seini Henry contributed to a state‑championship run with Purcell Marian in 2024. With 25 high‑major college offers on the table, DeMarcus joins Kinney as a key piece of a roster that blends fresh talent with seasoned prospects.
The upcoming AmeriCup will test the chemistry of a squad that includes multiple future collegiate stars. As they prepare to face international competition, both Kinney and Henry express confidence in their preparation and excitement about showcasing the next generation of American basketball talent on a global stage.