Newport guard Tay Kinney “a priority’ for Louisville’s Pat Kelsey

SHELBYVILLE, Ky. – The previous coaching staff at the University of Louisville had built a good relationship with Newport High School standout Tay Kinney.

The four-star prospect in the Class of 2026 was offered over a year ago, and he had made several visits to U of L’s campus.

When Pat Kelsey took over in late March, it didn’t take him long to start building a relationship with Kinney. Kelsey and an assistant coach visited Kinney and re-offered the prospect and he’s been in touch with him since the staff was allowed to contact ’26 prospects earlier this month.

On Friday, Kelsey was front-and-center watching Kinney at the KABC Titans Shootout at Shelby County High School. Kelsey watched Kinney lead Newport to a win over DeSales.

“He told me that I am one of his top priorities in the 2026 class,” Kinney told Cardinal Authority. “He really wants me. He wants me to stay home.

“I knew (Kelsey) because when he was at Charleston they offered me. So, I already knew about him.”

Kinney holds more than a dozen scholarship offers and said the plan was to visit Louisville and meet with Kelsey and his staff after summer ball in July.