With a versatile skill set that includes scoring, playmaking, and defense, 4-star guard Jimmy McKinney III has caught the attention of Kansas State, who just extended him a scholarship offer.
The 6-foot-1, 160-pound combo guard from St. Louis, Missouri, is ranked sixth in the state with a .9711 247Sports Composite rating and holds offers from Iowa State, Iowa, and Missouri.
McKinney, a Missouri legacy, plays for Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal’s 16U EYBL squad.
Blessed and grateful to receive a offer from @KStateMBB. Thank you @CoachRodPerry and staff. pic.twitter.com/nElbXn7Ag2
— Jimmy Mckinney III (@Jbuckets_20) July 18, 2025
He led Vashon High School to a Class 4 State Championship in March, earning All-State honors after averaging 13.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch also named him All-Metro.
Known for his versatility, McKinney can score, create, and defend.
He has a quick first step, smooth ball-handling, and can hit shots from deep or attack the basket, making him a matchup nightmare on both ends.
On Twitter, McKinney shared his excitement: “Blessed and grateful to receive an offer from @KStateMBB. Thank you @CoachRodPerry and staff.”
Kansas State, looking to rebound after missing the NCAA Tournament two years running, still has scholarships open for the 2025 class. Coach Jerome Tang is under pressure to turn the program around.
The Wildcats return just three scholarship players — David Castillo, Mobi Ikegwuruka, and Taj Manning — and added several transfers this offseason, including MAC Player of the Year Nate Johnson (Akron), scoring guard Marcus Johnson (Bowling Green), and All-American PJ Haggerty (Memphis).
Other additions include Khamari McGriff (UNC Wilmington), Abdi Bashir (Omaha), international signees Elias Rapieque and Andrej Kostic, plus 6-foot-11 JUCO transfer Stephen Osei, who’s expected to redshirt.
Kansas State finished 16–17 last season and tied for ninth in the Big 12 (9–11), a mark Tang is determined to improve.
If Kansas State can land players like McKinney, the program’s future looks much brighter in a competitive Big 12 landscape.