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Over the last decade of Kentucky Women’s Basketball having size to compete and match up with in the SEC has been a struggle. The Cats have had to play fast, press, and do other things to overcome their lack of size.
Breaking News🚨
— 94 Feet WBB (@94FeetWBB) March 26, 2024
Kentucky🐱has hired Virginia Tech's Kenny Brooks to be their next leader. The SEC is the premier league in the country with deep pockets and they have just obtained a final four coach. Huge splash for Kentucky with implications for the SEC for years to come pic.twitter.com/bD1L3CPua2
Then new Head Coach Kenny Brooks walked in and in one offseason all of that has changed. Heading into the 2024-25 season the Cats have 4 “Bigs” that range from 6’3” to 6’7” in height. The SEC is full of players like Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese year after year. Being able to lineup and challenge the physicality and length on both sides of the ball is going to be huge for the new look Wildcats.
Likely Starters
6’5 Sophomore Center Clara Strack
Brooks brought 6’5” Center Clara Strack over with him from Virginia Tech. As a freshman, she played behind All-American Liz Kitley, however, late in the season when Kitley was out injured, she stepped up big time. Strack averaged 9.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.2 assist per game in her final five games as a freshman at Virginia Tech. During that stretch she shot 57.5 percent from the field in 25.4 minutes per game. She also averaged 17.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in her 2 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Strack is a Cat. 😼https://t.co/azROonBQ0u pic.twitter.com/KMFQcQQHfc
— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) April 9, 2024
6’3” Junior Forward Amelia Hassett
Amelia Hassett was Coach Brooks first commitment as a Wildcat. The JUCO 6’3” Forward is a do it all for her size. She averaged 19.0 points and 12.7 rebounds per game at Eastern Florida State last season and not only shot 54.5 percent overall from the field but was a 41 percent 3-point shooter. Hassett had 22 double-doubles and was named the Citrus Conference Player of the Year and Florida College System Activities Association Player of the Year. Leading her team (Titans) to a 27-5 overall record.
Women's basketball player Amelia Hassett is named the FCSAA Player of the Year!!!! pic.twitter.com/iHGd2n4jnH
— EFSC Titans Sports (@EFSCTitans) March 13, 2024
Strack and Hassett will be a formidable frontcourt with size, skill, and experience that Kentucky Women’s Basketball has sorely missed in the SEC.
Likely Backup Players
6’7” Freshman Center Clara Silva
Kenny Brooks was also able to bring 6’7” Silva over with him as well. She de-comitted from Virginia Tech and landed with the Cats. From Portugal, the international phenom will be one of the tallest Wildcats ever. In the Summer of 2023 at FIBA, she played in seven games, averaging 18.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.6 assists. According to the FIBA website, Silva was one of “Nine players who stood out at FIBA U18 Europe”.
A big performance from incoming Kentucky WBB freshman Clara Silva against Montenegro in the U20 Women’s EuroBasket for Portugal. https://t.co/KpGPSwIkjh
— Caroline Makauskas (@cmakauskas) July 7, 2024
6’4” Junior Forward/Center Teonni Key
Key is a former 5-star recruit. She was named to the Jordan Brand Classic and the 2021 McDonald’s All-American Girls teams as well as ranked ninth in the ESPNW Class of 2021 rankings. Unfortunately, she has battled injury in her career including missing her entire freshman season after sustaining an ACL tear in a preseason scrimmage. Key has spent the last 2 seasons coming off the bench at North Carolina and is looking for a fresh start.
Breaking News🚨
— 94 Feet WBB (@94FeetWBB) April 15, 2024
North Carolina's Teonni Key has committed to Kentucky🐱and Kenny Brooks. This has been a monster recruiting month for Kentucky and they have immediately put themselves in the conversation for a Top 4 team in a deep and stacked SEC. More news on the way👀 pic.twitter.com/r4b6l01u0M
Silva as a freshman and Key getting herself back or better after injuries coming off the bench will bring the size and skill most likely never seen before in Lexington, Kentucky as backups. With these added additions by new Coach Brooks, look for these Kentucky Wildcats to have a top five frontcourt in the powerful women’s SEC basketball conference in 2024-25.
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