LAWRENCE - Kansas basketball just added two more names to its growing list of elite talent, as both the men’s and women’s programs are celebrating McDonald’s All-American selections in their 2026 recruiting classes.
For the men’s team, it’s Taylen Kinney getting the nod - a dynamic 6-foot-2 guard from Newport, Kentucky, who’s been lighting it up for RWE in Overtime Elite. On the women’s side, Cydnee Bryant joins rare company as just the fourth McDonald’s All-American in Kansas women’s basketball history.
Let’s start with Kinney. He’s not just a five-star prospect - he’s the No. 2-ranked point guard in the 2026 class and sits at No. 18 overall in the 247Sports Composite rankings.
And the numbers back up the hype. Kinney is averaging 18.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game this season, showing off a well-rounded game that fits the mold of a modern floor general.
He’s already posted eight 20-point games, including explosive outings of 33 and 32 points. Add in five double-doubles - three with points and assists, two with points and rebounds - and you’re looking at a player who can control a game in multiple ways.
Kinney’s skill set should slide in seamlessly with what Bill Self looks for in his lead guards. He’s got the scoring punch, the vision, and the poise to run an offense that demands precision and creativity.
And considering Kansas’ recent track record with McDonald’s All-Americans - Darryn Peterson in 2025, Flory Bidunga in 2024, and Elmarko Jackson in 2023 - it’s clear Kinney is stepping into a program that knows how to develop elite talent. Peterson and Bidunga are both starting for the current No. 11-ranked Jayhawks, and Jackson has become a key contributor off the bench.
Peterson, in particular, is drawing serious buzz as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
On the women’s side, Cydnee Bryant brings size, skill, and history. The 6-foot-6 center is a five-star prospect, ranked No. 6 at her position and No. 33 overall.
Her selection makes her the third Kansas signee to earn McDonald’s All-American honors straight out of high school - a list that includes current freshman Jaliya Davis, who’s already made a splash with five Big 12 Freshman of the Week awards. Bryant also joins Lauren Ervin (2003) and Jessica Washington (2013) in the program’s All-American lineage, though Washington didn’t arrive in Lawrence until later in her college career.
For Brandon Schneider and the women’s program, Bryant’s commitment is a big win - both on the recruiting trail and in the paint. She brings a physical presence inside that could anchor the frontcourt and elevate a team still searching for consistency this season. While the women’s squad will need a strong finish to earn NCAA tournament consideration, the long-term outlook is bright with Bryant on the horizon.
The men’s team, meanwhile, continues to look like a contender. With Kinney on the way and a core of young stars already making noise, Kansas is stacking talent at a level that keeps them firmly in the national spotlight.
Bottom line: The future in Lawrence looks plenty promising - and it’s coming fast.