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Eight days ago, Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart and the University of Kentucky introduced new head coach Kenny Brooks as the Kentucky Women’s Basketball head man. Brooks comes in with high hopes with his background of building top teams and players.
Coach Brooks has entered the chat. @CoachBrooksUK #FollowFriday pic.twitter.com/GpNzuEzTub
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) April 5, 2024
At his introductory press conference, Brooks spoke brilliantly of building a team culture based around player development and a caring family atmosphere. In the coming week there has been significant buzz and anticipation surrounding the possible roster he will build for next season.
New Roster Transfers In
On Thursday we began to see the first pieces of the roster puzzle take shape. Incoming JUCO transfer Amelia Hassett (who had been committed to Brooks at Viginia Tech) became the first recruit committed in the new Kenny Brooks era at Kentucky. She is a 6’3″ Foward who averaged over 19 points and 12 rebounds per game last season for Eastern Florida State. Originally from Australia, she also shot 41% from three-point range last season.
Soon after, the AP All-American PG Georgia Amoore announced on her Instagram that she would play her final year at Kentucky. Amoore has played for Brooks her entire career and is coming over with him to bolster the Cats attack. The two-time All ACC Hokie averaged 18.8 points and 6.8 assist last season leading them to the ACC regular season title. She was listed number one on the ESPN transfer portal rankings with over 1000 players currently in the women’s transfer portal.
BREAKING: Georgia Amoore has announced she is transferring to Kentucky pic.twitter.com/ELuNgShE58
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) April 5, 2024
Next came 6’5″ Freshman C Clara Strack to follow from Virginia Tech. The former top 100 recruit from New York played as backup to 3-time AP All-American Elizabeth Kitley this season. However, when called upon after Kitley’s season ending injury in the NCAA tournament, Strack stepped up averaging 17.5 points. 7.5 rebounds, and three blocks in two games.
The First High School Commitment
Today Alexander “Lexi” Blue has flipped her commitment to Kentucky. She (formally committed to Brooks at Va Tech) is a 6’2″ F who is ranked number 38 by ESPN 2024 recruiting rankings and a four-star recruit. She becomes Brooks first high school commitment since joining Kentucky as coach. Keep a look out for 6’7″ Portuguese C Clara Silvia to join Kentucky in the near future as well. As she has informed the new Viginia Tech staff that she will be going elsewhere.
In the past 24 hours, Kentucky WBB has added:
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) April 5, 2024
🔹All-American PG Georgia Amoore (VaTech)
🔹C Clara Strack (VaTech)
🔹F Ameilia Hassett (VaTech commit/JuCo)
🔹4-star W Lexi Blue (VaTech commit)
Kenny Brooks (@CoachBrooksUK) is absolutely rolling!
MORE: https://t.co/FUACNGOWh5 pic.twitter.com/lCo6mxuMe6
More Transfers Out and Overall Roster Outlook
Adding new players comes with saying goodbye to two former players, as Brooklynn Miles and Jordy Gribbs both entered the transfer portal the last two days. That leaves just three players, Cassidy Rowe, Saniah Tyler, and Amiya Jenkins as the only remaining players from last season.
Two incoming freshmen from the previous staff still remain expected to join the team thus far. As 6’5″ C Ramiya White and 6’2″ F Tanah Becker will give the Cats nine scheduled roster spots (not including Silvia) filled thus far. Will any of Kentucky’s eligible 5th year seniors come back from the portal to join the team? Who else will Kenny Brooks target to fill out his roster for his first Kentucky Women’s Basketball team?
KENNY IS COOKING!!!
— Matt Sak BBN (@MattSakR2NG) April 5, 2024
Also, has their ever been a name for perfect for Kentucky Basketball than LEXI BLUE? https://t.co/ZAzP42twh5
Making a National Statement
The upgrade of talent coming into Lexington in the first week of April is putting the SEC and Women’s College Basketball on notice that Kentucky Women’s Basketball is going to be a team on the radar. Also giving the Big Blue Nation some buzz and excitement for the 2024-25 season and beyond.
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Fun-reflecting on her career
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