Tyler McKinley joins ex-UC Bearcats with Wes Miller in Charlotte

TL;DR

Tyler McKinley, a 6-foot-9 forward, is transferring to Charlotte to play under coach Wes Miller. He joins fellow former Bearcats Jizzle James and Keyshuan Tillery in the move.

Key points

Tyler McKinley transfers to Charlotte
Joins coach Wes Miller and former teammates
Averaged 1.8 points and 2.2 rebounds at UC

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Wes Miller

Tyler McKinleyCharlotte 49ersUniversity of Cincinnati Bearcats

Yet another former University of Cincinnati men's basketball player under coach Wes Miller will join him in Charlotte as 6-foot-9 forward Tyler McKinley is the latest to head South.

McKinley joins Jizzle James and Keyshuan Tillery in joining the 49ers, Miller and assistant Chad Dollar, who also is on staff.

League Ready first reported McKinley’s commitment to Charlotte, which was later confirmed via Instagram.

McKinley played in 25 games with three starts for UC as a redshirt freshman, averaging 1.8 points and 2.2 points.

Cincinnati Bearcats forward Tyler McKinley (24) hits a layup in the first half of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament between UC and the Utah Utes on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

Miller recruited McKinley from high school

Miller’s UC staff recruited McKinley initially out of Walnut Hills and later at Winton Woods. He initially committed in June 2023.

McKinley averaged 18.5 points and 9.9 rebounds as a Winton Woods senior. He missed his first season at UC with a torn ACL and battled through knee pain last season.