Five-star point guard Tay Kinney, who has already visited the University of Louisville’s campus multiple times, is set to return for another visit on June 5. Kinney, a Northern Kentucky native now playing for Overtime Elite in Atlanta, Georgia, has a packed schedule but will make time for a day-long trip to explore the Cardinals’ basketball program. Standing at 6-foot-1, Kinney previously earned All-State honors at Newport High School before transferring to OTE last season. He recently showcased his skills at the Adidas 3SSB event in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he impressed college coaches, including Louisville’s head coach Pat Kelsey and assistant coaches Thomas Carr and Brian Kloman, who attended his games over the weekend.
During the event, Kinney proved to be one of the most consistent scorers, earning praise from 247Sports’ director of scouting Adam Finkelstein. In four games, Kinney posted impressive point totals of 29, 25, 26, and 21, displaying a diverse offensive game. Finkelstein described him as a scoring lead guard with excellent shooting range, noting his creativity with the ball, ability to create space for pull-up jumpers, and proficiency in mid-range scoring. While his long-range shooting can still improve, Kinney’s overall skill set, including his ability to attack the rim and create plays, stood out.
Kinney’s standout performances have helped solidify his position as the No. 14 ranked prospect in the national class. His strong play during the event continues to build interest from top college programs, and Louisville is clearly a contender. The only other official visit Kinney has scheduled at this point is to Oregon on September 6.
As a sophomore, Kinney averaged 17.5 points and four rebounds for Newport High School, leading the team to the Ninth Region title. After joining Overtime Elite, Kinney’s stats improved further, averaging 20.1 points, 5.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. His all-around game continues to make him one of the most sought-after recruits in the country.
