KU Jayhawks freshman Taylen Kinney helps Team USA win its opening game in Mexico
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- Taylen Kinney started and scored six points with five assists and two steals.
- Quentin Coleman recorded 11 points and a team-high 15 rebounds for Team USA.
- Team USA beat Argentina 88-58 in the FIBA U18 AmeriCup opener in León.
Kansas freshman men’s basketball point guard Taylen Kinney’s USA Basketball Under 18 national team drilled Argentina 88-58 in an opening Group A game Monday at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup tournament in Leon, Mexico.
Kinney, a 6-foot native of Newport, Kentucky who played for Overtime Elite his senior season of high school, started for the U.S. squad. He scored six points on 3-of-6 shooting with five assists and two steals.
He had a highlight-reel lob to Michigan State freshman Ethan Taylor for a slam dunk giving Team USA a 50-32 lead in the second half.
“The 2026 guard impacted the game on both ends, creating for teammates, making winning plays and helping Team USA secure the victory. A solid first showing on the international stage with plenty more to come,” read the Instagram account of Recruit Hoops Media.
Illinois freshman guard Quentin Coleman had 11 points and 15 rebounds for Team USA. Adan Diggs and Darius Wabbington had 12 points apiece. Malachi Jordan had a game-high five steals, the most by a U.S. player at the event since Eric Dailey Jr. totaled five thefts against Ecuador in 2022.
“Coleman’s energy was contagious today,” Team USA coach Anthony Grant said. “He impacted the game on both sides of the ball, did a great job defensively being active, and offensively I thought he found his spots.”
The U.S. improved to 14-0 in U18 AmeriCup openers and 15-1 vs. Argentina in all-time U18 competition. The two countries played twice in 2024, with the U.S. recording both opening and gold medal game wins vs. Argentina two years ago.
Team USA will meet Mexico at 9 p.m. Central on Tuesday in the second game of pool play.
This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 9:39 AM with the headline "KU Jayhawks freshman Taylen Kinney helps Team USA win its opening game in Mexico."
