Tyler McKinley Is Cincinnati Basketball’s First 2024 Commitment
The Cincinnati Bearcats landed Tyler McKinley, a four-star player, for their 2024 men’s basketball recruiting class on Thursday.
McKinley’s commitment was announced on social media and is non-binding. The earliest he can sign with the Bearcats is November.
He announced his commitment in a live stream event.
McKinley, a 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward, is local. While he’s playing for Link Academy in Branson, Mo., he’s from Cincinnati and played at Walnut Hills High School before transferring to Link.
Per 247Sports.com he is Missouri’s No. 1 recruit, considered No. 10 at his position and No. 62 overall.
He was considering schools like Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan State and Cincinnati’s cross-town rival, Xavier.
McKinley is Cincinnati’s first commitment for 2024.
Coach Wes Miller put together a Top 25 recruiting class for 2023 as the Bearcats prepare to join the Big 12 on July 1. BYU, UCF and Houston will also join the conference on that date.
That class includes two four-star players that are ranked in the Top 100 in the nation in 247Sports.com’s final 2023 rankings — guard Jizzle James from Olympia High in Orlando, Fla., and forward Rayvon Griffith from Compass Prep in Chandler, Ariz.
The Bearcats also pulled in a commitment from a juco player, Kilgore (Texas) College guard DaVeon Thomas.
The Bearcats have also pulled in a talented transfer class, four of which can play immediately. That includes center Aziz Bandaogo, forward Simas Lukosius, guard CJ Fredrick and forward Jamille Reynolds.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard
