It doesn't have to be Tay Kinney or Jason Crowe Jr for the Cats
The whispers around Kentucky basketball recruiting this week have a little edge to them. Word on social media is that high-level guard prospects Tay Kinney and Jason Crowe Jr. may be playing musical chairs for a single scholarship spot in Lexington. According to the chatter, the Kentucky staff told both that the first to commit would get the offer. While that remains unconfirmed, the question is clear: does it have to be one or the other?
Why not both?
At face value, Kinney and Crowe Jr. share some obvious traits: both are scoring-minded guards with a three-level arsenal, both play with confidence, and both have the kind of natural flair that makes Big Blue Nation lean forward. But dig deeper and their differences offer a blueprint for compatibility — not conflict.
Crowe Jr., a high-scoring lefty from California, is wired to get buckets. NBADraftRoom describes him as “elite at putting the ball in the basket” and a confident deep shooter with room to grow as a playmaker. He’s explosive in transition, scores from all three levels, and is the type of microwave scorer who can erupt quickly. At times, he can be a bit one-dimensional — favoring his dominant hand and still learning how to facilitate in traffic — but the offensive upside is obvious.
Kinney, meanwhile, brings a more balanced game. The 6-1 lead guard with a 6-6+ wingspan was quietly one of the most complete guards in Overtime Elite last season. Per 247Sports, he’s a crafty playmaker, capable of scoring from anywhere but also adept in drive-and-kick scenarios and feeding the post. He averaged five assists per game, moves instinctively within the flow of the offense, and doesn’t dominate the ball despite his aggressive nature. His length and physicality make him a deceptively good defender, capable of blowing up ball screens and switching onto multiple positions.
In short, Kinney looks more like a point guard who can score. Crowe Jr. is a scorer who can moonlight at the point. That matters.
In Mark Pope’s system, positional flexibility and shooting rule the day. Having two guards who can create their own looks, knock down shots, and pressure opposing defenses on or off the ball is a feature, not a bug. The idea that there’s only one chair for this musical duo feels antiquated in a modern college game that increasingly favors dual-combo backcourts and multi-guard lineups.
The real question might not be whether Kentucky can take both — but whether both are willing to share the spotlight or play together.
Time will tell which direction Pope and his staff lean, or if the "first come, first serve" rumor even holds weight. But if you're watching film instead of likes, the verdict’s pretty clear: Tay Kinney and Jason Crowe Jr. could complement each other beautifully in Kentucky blue.
And that’s a problem worth having.