ERLANGER — In the moments after a narrow, upset victory Friday night, Newport High star guard Taylen Kinney was still basking in the glow of the accomplishment. So much so that Kinney, a 2026 prospect, had a hard time recalling all the schools already recruiting him.

Among those he hears from most are Louisville, Cincinnati, Xavier, Purdue and Texas A&M.

Author more performances like Friday night and that list only will continue to grow.

Kinney and Newport, facing one of the nation's top prospects regardless of class in 2025 five-star guard Darryn Peterson and a powerhouse Huntington (West Virginia) Prep program, were the nightcap of a doubleheader in the Griffin Elite Basketball Classic at the Griffin Elite Sports and Wellness facility.

Thanks to Kinney, who had 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists, Newport knocked off Huntington Prep, 58-55. Kinney was at his best when it mattered most, pouring in 13 of his 22 points in the final quarter, as Newport rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half. He also fought Peterson to a draw in the points department; Peterson also had 22 points (on 8-of-23 shooting) to go along with 10 rebounds and five assists.

But Kinney had the game's signature moment: a rim-rattling dunk that brought the crowd to its feet — and gave Newport a 53-51 lead with barely three minutes remaining.

"I think I played good,” Kinney said. "I wasn’t hitting a lot of shots at the beginning of the game, but I felt like I was rebounding well, playing defense and making plays for my teammates."

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Of the schools heavily recruiting him, Kinney highlighted the relationship he's developed with Louisville's staff, especially assistant coach Josh Jamieson.

"I talk to coach Josh a lot," Kinney said. "He came up and watched a couple workouts over the summer when we first started practicing."

Despite the bond he's forging with U of L, the 6-foot, 160-pound Kinney, who grew up in Newport, admitted only one college team has ever had his fandom.

"Of course, UK," he said. "I feel like that's for everybody."

He doesn't yet possess an offer from the Wildcats and coach John Calipari. But Kinney attended the Big Blue Madness event at Rupp Arena in October — he called it a " a great experience" and a "crazy environment." His primary recruiter at Kentucky so far has been associate coach Orlando Antigua. Kinney said the UK coaching staff plans to have him on campus soon so he can watch a practice in person.

His in-state ties aren't Kinney's only connection to the Wildcats, either.

He was teammates with Gabe Weis — another 2026 prospect UK is recruiting — on Wildcat Select, a team that plays on the Adidas 3SSB circuit. He's played against 2024 Kentucky signee Travis Perry at camps and in last season's Sweet 16 at Rupp. And Peterson, another UK target, also was with Kinney at Big Blue Madness two months ago.

Kinney doesn't have a star-rating evaluation from any of the major recruiting services (Rivals, 247Sports, On3 and ESPN).

But while he still has ample time before settling on a college, he already knows what the primary factor will be in his final choice: Kinney is looking for a team that's up-tempo and also will help him improve defensively.

"(I) just (want) the perfect fit for me," he said.

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Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Taylen Kinney: Louisville Cardinals, Kentucky Wildcats hoops target