Taylen Kinney, a former Newport High School basketball player, has been selected for the USA Basketball U18 National Team that will travel to Mexico for the FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup.
A Dual Heritage of Talent
Kinney’s rise has been marked by a rare combination of scoring prowess and leadership. He amassed 1,220 points over four varsity seasons, guiding the Wildcats to back‑to‑back Ninth Region titles in 2023 and 2024.
His performances earned him a commitment to Kansas University, where he will join a program known for developing NBA talent, edging out rival suitors such as the Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals.
Joining Kinney on the national roster is DeMarcus Henry, the son of the late NFL wide receiver Chris Henry. The young forward attends Compass Prep in Chandler, Arizona, and holds 25 offers from high‑major college programs, a testament to his growing reputation.
The Henry family’s athletic pedigree extends further; Chris Henry Jr., DeMarcus’s older brother, is a football player at Ohio State, while their sister Seini Henry has become a standout on the women’s basketball team at the same university.
Seini Henry helped the West Clermont girls basketball team to a 24‑1 record in the 2022‑23 season and contributed to Purcell Marian’s state championship in 2024, underscoring a multi‑generational impact on Ohio basketball.
The upcoming AmeriCup will feature Kinney and Henry competing against some of the best under‑18 talent from across the Americas, a showcase that highlights USA Basketball’s continued investment in developing future professionals.
Beyond individual accolades, the selections reflect a broader pipeline that links high school success, collegiate commitment, and international exposure, a pathway that USA Basketball and its partners, including FIBA, have been cultivating for years.