Jasper Johnson, Tay Kinney might just be the best backcourt at Overtime Elite

A pair of Bluegrass-born high school players have teamed up together at Overtime Elite and the early on-court returns have been promising.

Kentucky commit Jasper Johnson and Kentucky target Tay Kinney make up the Rod Wave Elite (RWE) backcourt. There might not be a deadlier duo of guards in all of OTE than these two former in-state prospects. On Saturday night in their third game of the 2024-25 season, Johnson and Kinney combined for 44 points as RWE (1-2) won its first game, a 105-84 victory over Fear of God Athletics.

Johnson (ranked No. 14 in the class of 2025) finished what was his best game of the young season so far by posting 24 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and one block. The 6-foot-5 lefty shot 9-16 overall, including a 4-7 mark from distance. Meanwhile, Kinney (ranked No. 17 in the class of 2026) recorded 20 points, six assists, four rebounds, two steals, and one block. The 6-foot-2 lead guard shot 8-10 from the floor, making all seven of his shots from inside the perimeter.

In all three games for RWE this season, the backcourt duo of Johnson and Kinney has dominated. The first two contests came with tough losses, but they got on track over the weekend. If you ask them, they’d tell you there’s no other option for the league’s best pairing of guards.

“For sure,” Kinney said. “Easily.”

The boys from Kentucky combined for 44 POINTS… Are Taylen Kinney & Jasper Johnson the best backcourt in OTE? 🤔 @Taylen_0 @BruhJasperJ pic.twitter.com/7YNd54wd95

— Overtime Elite (@OvertimeElite) November 10, 2024

There are plenty of talented guards spread throughout OTE, including the likes of five-star Meleek Thomas, four-star Kaden Magwood (originally from Louisville), four-star Eli Ellis, four-star Tyler Jackson, and a few others. However, there isn’t a team out there with two Top 20 caliber guards on the same roster other than RWE. The numbers speak for themselves through three games.

Johnson: 20.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 6.3 APG | 46.8 FG%, 45.0 3PT%, 69.2 FT%

Kinney: 21.7 PPG, 5.3 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.0 SPG | 63.4 FG%, 46.7 3PT%, 63.4 FT%

This could very well be a look at the future for members of the Big Blue Nation. Johnson will join the program next season as one of the headliners for Mark Pope‘s first-ever recruiting class as Kentucky head coach. The plan will be for Johnson to stay one season in Lexington before hopefully playing his way into the NBA Draft, but he could team up with Kinney once again if he elects to return for a second college season.

Kinney is far from being a Kentucky lock, but the Wildcats have positioned itself well with the native of Newport, KY. Kinney transferred to OTE over the summer, just a couple of days before Pope reached out with a scholarship offer. He’s one of just 10 prospects from the 2026 cycle with a UK offer. The fact that he teamed up with Johnson at OTE (which happened through a draft) was just more ammo for Pope’s recruiting pitch.

If you’re hoping to see these two in action, RWE will take the hardwood again this Saturday against Jelly Fam. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. EST and will be streamed live on the OTE YouTube channel.