USA Minicamp Interviews: Taylen Kinney + Griffin Starks

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Former Newport High School duo Taylen Kinney and Griffin Starks both were invited to Team USA October Minicamp. I caught up with both prospects to talk about their experience at the camp and more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Taylen Kinney Interview</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Q: What's it like seeing a handful of Cincinnati stars here as well as your former high school teammate Griffin Starks here?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A: It's very cool, it's a blessing that we are all here able to put on for Newport and Cincinnati. It's fun to play with these guys out here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Q: You made your commitment in Newport, what was that day like back at your hometown?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A: It was a great day, committed to the best college in the world, best coach in the world, best program in the world so it was a blessed day. Just seeing all my family and friends there meant so much to me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Q: You hinted at bringing more players to Kansas, what has that process been like?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A: Yea we had three commitments right after me and we're trying to get one more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Q: Who are you most excited to play with this winter at RWE?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A: The whole team, can't wait to play with my whole team. We are really like a family.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Griffin Starks Interview</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Q: I talked to Taylen (Kinney) yesterday, what's it like having a former Newport High School teammate here with you this weekend?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A: It's great, my guy Tay, I haven't seen him in a minute so it was great seeing him and his mom and I miss all my Newport guys but it was great seeing him for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Q: What's been the biggest difference at Southeastern Prep, one of the top Prep teams in the country so far?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A: The pace, the toughness, the competition, it's a lot to adjust to but I have Coach Peavy at Southeastern and I'm loving the whole coaching staff.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Q: What's the biggest thing you are looking to work on throughout this weekend or the winter at Southeastern Prep?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A: For Southeastern Prep I just want to win a lot of games. While I'm down here I want to become a better person, we're having life skills classes and I want to learn from that. The transfer portal, eligibility, NIL and all that. But I'm also looking to get better with ball handling and shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Q: Which schools have been showing you the most love?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A: Florida State, I took a visit there a couple days ago when they played Miami. Coach Justus from Ohio State and I just talked with an Oklahoma State coach at Southeastern Prep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->