McDonald’s All-American Game to Feature Future Jayhawk, Two Tigers - and a Whole Lot of Star Power
The 2026 McDonald’s All-American Game is shaping up to be a must-watch showcase of elite high school talent, and both Kansas and Missouri fans have plenty to be excited about. Three future Big 12 ballers - one Kansas Jayhawk and two Missouri Tigers - have earned spots in the prestigious event, set for March 31 in Glendale, Arizona.
Let’s start with the headliner for Kansas: Taylen Kinney, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Newport, Kentucky, currently playing in the Overtime Elite league in Atlanta. He’ll suit up for the East team, and if you’ve seen him play, you know why.
Kinney is a dynamic scoring guard with a tight handle, sharp vision, and a jumper that demands respect. He’s not just a floor general - he’s a bucket.
Kinney’s production backs it up, too. He’s averaging 18.8 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.8 rebounds this season, following a strong 2024-25 campaign where he put up 20.1 points per game. He’s been on the radar for a while, and when he committed to Kansas over a stacked list of programs - including Kentucky, Louisville, Arkansas, Indiana, and Oregon - it was a major recruiting win for Bill Self.
Self didn’t hold back when talking about his future point guard.
“Taylen’s one of the best point guards in the country,” Self said. “He’s a scoring point.
He can shoot. He’s got great vision.
He can create for himself and create for others. Taylen’s transition to college ball should be seamless.
He’s prepared to run a college basketball team.”
And when asked for a player comparison? Self went straight to Kansas royalty.
“Mario (Chalmers) maybe. He’s a scoring point and I think that’s what Mario was.
He’s kind of built like Mario, a little bit more so than Sherron (Collins) or any of the guys or Devonte’ (Graham). But he’s a scoring point.
Could he be a Devonte’-type or Mario-type? I think he could be.”
That’s high praise - and high expectations - for Kinney, who’ll be asked to steer the Jayhawks' offense in the near future.
On the other side of the border, Missouri fans have double the reason to tune in. Jason Crowe Jr., a 6-foot-3 combo guard from Inglewood High School in California, will represent the West team. He’s joined by Toni Bryant, a 6-foot-9 forward out of Southeastern Prep Academy in Orlando, who’ll play for the East.
Crowe - also known as “J2” - is the kind of scorer who makes gymnasiums buzz. Ranked No. 4 in the Class of 2026 by ESPN and No. 5 by 247Sports, he’s the highest-ranked Mizzou recruit since Michael Porter Jr. in 2017. That’s not just a fun fact - it’s a signal that Dennis Gates is building something serious in Columbia.
And Crowe’s numbers are jaw-dropping. He’s averaging 44.1 points per game, on pace to break the California state scoring record.
That’s not a typo. That’s a walking bucket.
“He’s a special player and already prepares every day like a pro,” Gates said. “His work ethic is unmatched, his discipline is unmatched and his performance on the court is unmatched. J2 has tremendous support at home... it’s his approach to the game and preparation that separates him from others.”
Gates didn’t stop there.
“On the court, J2 is as smooth as a player as there is. He is extremely crafty with a high basketball IQ that allows him to score in any situation. There aren’t many players at any level that are as skilled of a scorer as he is, and we can’t wait to welcome him to our Mizzou family next season.”
Then there’s Bryant, a long, athletic forward who brings a different kind of impact. He’s ranked No. 14 by ESPN and has the kind of two-way potential that coaches dream of.
Offensively, he plays above the rim and can stretch the floor. Defensively, he’s a shot-blocking presence with elite rebounding instincts.
“Toni is a gifted talent who can be a dominant forward at Mizzou,” Gates said. “We’ve had success with players that share his skillsets like Kobe Brown and Mark Mitchell and we think he can be the next forward to flourish within our system.”
Gates called Bryant “already a force to deal with,” and said his best basketball is still ahead. That’s a scary thought for SEC opponents.
While Kinney, Crowe, and Bryant are the headliners for KU and Mizzou, there’s another name that Kansas fans should keep an eye on - Tyran Stokes. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound small forward is the consensus No. 1 player in the Class of 2026 and has been selected to play for the West team.
He recently made an unofficial visit to Lawrence and was in the building for the KU-BYU game. Stokes is still uncommitted, but Kansas is firmly in the mix.
As for the full rosters, here’s how they stack up:
East Team: Taylen Kinney, Toni Bryant, Latrell Allmond, Darius Bivins, Bruce Branch, Jasiah Jervis, Adonis Ratliff, Darius Ratliff, Jaxon Richardson, Deron Rippey, Jordan Smith, Anthony Thompson.
West Team: Jason Crowe Jr., Tyran Stokes, Maximo Adams, JaShawn Andrews, Christian Collins, Quinn Costello, Arafan Diane, Caleb Gaskins, Austin Goosby, Caleb Holt, Brandon McCoy, Cameron Williams.
The McDonald’s All-American Game has long been a proving ground for future college stars and NBA talent. This year’s edition is no different - and for Kansas and Missouri fans, it’s a preview of what’s coming to Allen Fieldhouse and Mizzou Arena.
Circle March 31 on the calendar. The future is about to take the stage.