If you’ve spent more than five minutes scrolling through TikTok or YouTube’s basketball subculture, you’ve definitely seen him. The guy with the effortless jumper, the hilarious relationship skits, and that undeniable "it" factor. But for a creator who shares so much of his life with millions of followers, a weirdly large number of people are still scratching their heads over one simple question.
What is ypk raye real name?
It’s one of those things where the internet tends to get its wires crossed. You’ve got the British singer RAYE dominating the charts on one side, and then you’ve got the hoop-star-turned-content-king YPK Raye on the other. Honestly, it’s easy to see why the search results get messy. But if you’re looking for the man behind the viral "couples challenges" and those G-League dreams, the answer is actually right there in the open—if you know where to look.
The Man Behind the Handle: Rayé Michael McKinney
Let’s get straight to it. ypk raye real name is Rayé Michael McKinney.
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He didn’t just pull "Raye" out of thin air to sound cool. It’s his actual name. Born on July 1, 2000, Rayé (often spelled without the accent in digital spaces) has been a Middletown, New York native through and through. Growing up in Orange County, he wasn't just a kid making videos; he was a legitimate athlete with a future on the court.
A lot of fans don't realize he wasn't always "YPK." Before the millions of followers, he was a standout guard at Middletown High School. He was a two-year letterwinner there, putting in the work long before he ever hit "record" on a TikTok draft. If you dig into collegiate rosters from a few years back, you’ll find him listed as a 5-8, 150-pound guard for the SUNY Sullivan Generals.
He’s the son of Craig McKinney and Tonya Bertrand. Family actually pops up quite a bit in his life, and he has two sisters, Tayeln and Taliyah. It’s funny how we often view creators as these solitary figures that just "spawned" on our feeds, but Rayé has deep roots in a tight-knit New York community.
Why "YPK" and the Identity Confusion
The "YPK" prefix usually stands for "Young Pro King" or variations used by his circle, but it's the "Raye" part that causes the SEO nightmare.
You see, there is another Raye. Rachel Agatha Keen.
She’s the British powerhouse singer who broke records at the BRIT Awards. When you search for "Raye," Google's brain sometimes short-circuits. It tries to give you "Escapism" lyrics when you actually want to see a 2v2 basketball game against Nicolette.
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Breaking Down the Different "Rayes"
- Rayé Michael McKinney: The American content creator, basketball player, and YouTuber known for his relationship vlogs and sports comedy.
- Rachel Agatha Keen: The UK singer-songwriter known as RAYE.
Don't mix them up. One will teach you how to fix your jump shot; the other will break your heart with a soul-shattering ballad about an ex.
The Transition from Court to Camera
Rayé didn't just wake up and decide to be a "relatability" influencer. It was a grind. He actually majored in Sports Management in college, which makes a lot of sense when you look at how he’s branded himself. He understands the "business" of being an athlete even if he isn't playing in the NBA every Tuesday night.
His content really exploded when he started mixing high-level basketball skills with "guy-next-door" humor. Honestly, that’s the secret sauce. Most hoopers are too "cool" to be funny, and most funny guys can’t actually hoop. Rayé found that middle ground. Then, enter Nicolette.
The relationship content took things to a whole new level.
People became obsessed with their dynamic. Whether it’s the "I took Nicolette on a $10k shopping spree" videos or the "She has to kiss me after I did this" challenges, the chemistry felt real to people. That’s why his YouTube channel, often listed under the name "Raye Mckinney," has pulled in over 3 million subscribers. He’s not just a "TikToker." He’s a long-form storyteller who happens to be a world-class athlete.
Is He Actually in the G-League?
This is a huge point of contention in his comment sections.
You’ve probably seen the videos titled "I JOINED THE G-LEAGUE!" or "YPK RAYE GOES OFF AT NBA TRYOUT."
Here is the nuanced truth: Rayé is a phenomenal basketball player. He has participated in G-League tryouts and "runs" (open scrimmages) where he plays against pros. In 2023, he documented his journey trying to make a roster. While he hasn't been a permanent fixture on a G-League team's active season roster, he plays at a level that is light-years beyond your average gym rat.
He uses his platform to show the reality of the grind. It’s not all highlights and dunks. Sometimes it’s getting "checked" or realizing just how fast the pro game actually is. By using his real name, Rayé McKinney, in these professional settings, he bridges the gap between the "YPK" persona and the actual athlete.
Why the Mystery Persists
Why do people keep asking for ypk raye real name?
Mostly because he’s a master of the "First Name Basis" branding. When you go by "Raye," it feels personal. It feels like you know him. But it also creates a vacuum where people wonder if there’s a "realer" version of him tucked away.
Actually, there isn't. He’s pretty transparent. If you watch his vlogs, especially the ones with his family or when he’s back home in Middletown, the "YPK" mask slips. You just see Rayé. A guy who loves his sisters, respects his parents, and is trying to build a digital empire out of a orange ball and a smartphone.
Key Facts About Rayé Michael McKinney
If you’re trying to keep the stats straight, here is the essential breakdown of who he is as of 2026:
- Legal Name: Rayé Michael McKinney.
- Date of Birth: July 1, 2000.
- Hometown: Middletown, New York.
- Height: 5'8" (though basketball players always add an inch or two with shoes on).
- Education: SUNY Sullivan (Sports Management).
- Primary Platforms: TikTok (@ypk.raye) and YouTube (Raye Mckinney).
- Claim to Fame: Fusing "hoop culture" with high-energy relationship vlogs.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a fan or a creator looking to follow in his footsteps, there’s a lot to learn from the McKinney playbook. He didn't just wait for a scout to find him; he created his own scouting report via social media.
Verify the identity of your favorite creators. It’s always worth checking the "About" section or old collegiate rosters to see the "pre-fame" version of a person. It humanizes them.
Follow his basketball journey closely. If you want to see if he eventually lands a more permanent pro spot, keep an eye on his "Hoopers Talk" series. He’s surprisingly honest about the setbacks.
Separate the artist from the athlete. Next time you’re searching for "Raye," make sure you specify "McKinney" if you want the dunks, or "Keen" if you want the vocals. It’ll save you a lot of time in the search bar.
Understanding the person behind the screen name is the first step to seeing how the creator economy actually works. Rayé isn't just a username; he’s a kid from Middletown who figured out how to make the world watch him play.