Taylen Kinney, a 6‑foot‑2 guard from Kentucky, has been named to the 2026 USA Basketball Men’s U18 National Team, a roster that will compete in the FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup in Leon, Mexico, from June 1‑7.
The selection follows a week‑long training camp in Colorado Springs, where Kinney stood out among 32 prospects and earned a spot on the final 12‑player squad.
A Spotlight on a Future Jayhawk
Kinney, a five‑star recruit who committed to the University of Kansas in September, is expected to start at point guard for the Jayhawks this coming season. His high school career includes a 2026 McDonald’s All‑American honor and a stint in the Overtime Elite program in Atlanta, where he averaged 18.8 points, 6.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game.
The tournament will open with Group A play against Argentina on June 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET, and every game will be streamed live on the FIBA YouTube channel, giving fans worldwide a chance to follow the young talent.
USA Basketball and FIBA, the sport’s governing bodies, will oversee the competition, which promises to showcase the next generation of American basketball stars on an international stage.