Talented in-state recruit Tay Kinney headed to Overtime Elite

The state of Kentucky is losing one of its most talented hoopers to a popular basketball league.

On Monday, it was announced that Newport’s Tay Kinney has signed with Overtime Elite where he will spend his final two high school seasons before making the leap to college. Kinney, a 6-foot-2 point guard rated No. 33 overall in the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking, is coming off a huge sophomore campaign at Newport and an even more impressive stretch of play throughout the summer/spring on the AAU circuit.

But instead of making another hopeful run in the Sweet 16 this coming season, he’ll suit up for OTE. Kinney joins another talented Bluegrass-born hooper in 2025 shooting guard Jasper Johnson, who will spend his senior season with the Atlanta-based league.

“I’m really excited to be joining OTE this season,” Kinney said in OTE’s press release. “I was able to see a lot of the facility over the summer and the thought of being surrounded by top players, amazing resources and around the clock training was too good of an opportunity to pass up. While it is very difficult to leave my friends and my family in Newport, I know that this is the best place for me as I continue to prepare for college and become the best player I can be on and off the court.”

TAYLEN KINNEY IS ON THE MOVE 🚨 Which team is gonna pick up the new OTE PG? 👀 @Taylen_0 pic.twitter.com/c7ZDxcsVMh

— Overtime Elite (@OvertimeElite) August 19, 2024

Going into the 2024-25 season, Newport was expected to return to the state tournament once again after making it to Rupp Arena earlier this year. The Wildcats would have been among the state’s top teams with Kinney on board, but now, head coach Rodney Snapp will have to find ways to replace that talent.

It certainly won’t be easy, either. Kinney was impressive as a sophomore in 2023-24. Newport finished 32-4 on the season, including a regular season win over eventual state champion Lyon County, which was headlined by current Kentucky freshman Travis Perry. Kinney averaged 17.5 points and four rebounds across 33 games played on shooting splits of 48.4/41.4/83.1.

He looked even better on the adidas 3SSB circuit for Wildcat Select 16U, which led to numerous offers. Kinney has hauled in scholarships from the likes of Kansas, Arkansas, Michigan, LSU, Florida State, Oregon, Villanova, Missouri, Auburn, California, Georgia, and many more since the spring. The new staff at Kentucky has yet to extend an offer, but assistant coaches Jason Hart and Cody Fueger have made contact.

Kinney won’t be in Mark Pope‘s backyard anymore, but he’s still a top-end talent that Kentucky should continue recruiting.