Indiana Secures Elite Guard Prospect: Tay Kinney Returns to Radar
Hoosiers in Strong Contention for Top-Ranked Recruit After Staff Shakeup
Indiana has emerged as a serious contender for five-star guard Tay Kinney, a crucial development for the Hoosiers’ 2026 recruiting class. This move places Indiana among 12 finalists for the highly-touted player.
A Resurgence Fueled by New Staff
The inclusion of Indiana on Kinney‘s shortlist marks a significant rebound, as the program was initially excluded when he narrowed his focus to 15 schools in the winter. The fresh coaching staff has successfully re-entered the picture for the highly-rated recruit.
Assistant coach Rod Clark, who joined the Hoosiers after being recruited by Kinney at Tennessee, is a key architect of this renewed interest. Kinney expressed his continued connection with Clark, stating, “Coach Rod, who came from Tennessee, he was recruiting me at Tennessee, and that’s my guy. I want to give them a chance too and see what it’s like there.”
Strategic Visit Signals Strong Contention
Kinney has officially scheduled an August 29-31 visit to Indiana, suggesting the Hoosiers are positioned within a select group of genuine contenders. In contrast, four schools on his list – Xavier, Tennessee, Miami, and Auburn – have yet to host him for an official visit or have one scheduled, presenting them with considerable challenges.
With Kinney hailing from Kentucky, the in-state programs of Kentucky and Louisville are anticipated to be formidable opponents in his recruitment battle. His decision is expected this fall, prior to the start of his final high school season at Overtime Elite.
Decision Factors: Fit and Future Potential
When asked about the criteria guiding his college choice, Kinney emphasized the importance of strong relationships with the coaching staff and finding a program where he can seamlessly integrate into the team’s style of play. He desires a role where he can have the ball in his hands and a clear path toward professional play, stating, “A great relationship with the coaching staff and a school that I can fit in. Just a team that fits my style of play. I’m going to have the ball in my hands and a great opportunity to get to the league.”
Notably, Kinney has an NIL deal with Adidas, the brand he currently aligns with through his school and AAU circuit. While he indicated his Adidas deal is limited to his high school career, the influence of shoe brands has been evident in recent recruitments, with players like Mikel Brown (Louisville) and Darryn Peterson (Kansas) both committing to Adidas-affiliated universities.
The landscape of elite basketball recruiting continues to evolve, with programs like Indiana aiming to secure top talent. For perspective, in the 2023 NBA Draft, 12 out of the first 30 picks were guards, highlighting the premium placed on skilled ball-handlers in today’s game (NBA Draft 2023).
