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Priority UNC Basketball Target Adds Wolfpack Offer

A five-star floor general in the 2026 recruiting cycle, Taylen Kinney has been on the UNC basketball wishlist for about four months now.

Matt Giles

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis
UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis / Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
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UNC basketball offer holder Taylen Kinney is currently gearing up for an official visit with the Kentucky Wildcats beginning on Tuesday. Meanwhile, though, the Overtime Elite (Ga.) point guard is still welcoming new suitors in his high-profile recruitment as a 2026 standout.

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His latest offer, which Kinney announced via his Instagram account earlier this week, just so happens to come from one of the Tar Heels' ACC rivals on Tobacco Road in the NC State Wolfpack.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound five-star, a native of Newport, Ky., who recently checked out the Louisville Cardinals on an official visit, received an offer from UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels in late February. He's remained at or near the center of the recruiting radar in Chapel Hill ever since.

"Kinney is a scoring and playmaking lead guard who is smooth and versatile with his attack," 247Sports' Adam Finkelstein wrote about the coveted prospect back in May. "He’s a three-range scoring threat who is creative and crisp with his handle, especially adept at getting to his pull-up, but can also get to the paint."

He ranks No. 14 overall and No. 1 among point guards on the 247Sports 2026 Composite.

Stay tuned to North Carolina Tar Heels On SI for more UNC basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining UNC on SI in 2023, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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