Purdue has made its mark in the race for five-star guard Taylen Kinney, landing a spot in the top 15 schools vying for his commitment. The 6-foot-1 standout from Newport, Ky. revealed his narrowed list on Christmas Day, which includes powerhouse programs like Georgia, Kansas, Illinois, Tennessee, and more, according to Joe Tipton of On3.
Kinney, ranked as the No. 18 overall prospect in the 2026 class by 247Sports, is dominating the court with his impressive stats. Playing for Overtime Elite in Atlanta, he’s averaging 22.1 points, 4.6 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game, while shooting over 70% from the field and 42% from deep. In his latest game against Cold Hearts, Kinney dazzled with 28 points, six assists, four rebounds, and four steals.
Purdue, which has already secured a commitment from three-star guard Luke Ertel for its 2026 class, is now eyeing Kinney as a key addition to elevate its recruiting class. With a stellar performance on the national stage, Kinney’s potential to be a game-changer has the Boilermakers and other elite programs eagerly awaiting his decision.
