Virginia Tech transfer Clara Strack commits to Kentucky, Kenny Brooks

Former Virginia Tech center Clara Strack is following her teammate Georgia Amoore and head coach Kenny Brooks to Lexington, announcing her transfer portal commitment to Kentucky on social media Thursday.

As a true freshman, the 6-foot-5 Strack averaged 4.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. However, she would be forced into a heavier workload during the postseason and went on to average 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game before falling in the Round of 32 at the hands of Baylor.

Strack is the third commitment that Brooks has received since being named head coach. She joined Amoore and JUCO standout Amelia Hassett.

Brooks is rebuilding of the Kentucky roster this offseason in an effort to turn a new leaf at Kentucky. After the Rhyne Howard era ended following the 2022 season, there has been little for Big Blue Nation to be excited for.

Finishing the season 12-20 and missing the NCAA Tournament for the second-straight season, something needed to change — and athletic director Mitch Barnhart believes Brooks is the right answer. After all, the success he had brought to Virginia Tech is nothing to scoff at. Making the Final Four for the first time in program history for the Hokies, Kentucky fans are looking for similar success during his tenure in Lexington beginning in 2024.

While Strack was only in Blacksburg for one season — Amoore and Brooks have seen major success together, particularly over the last two seasons. Amoore was the MVP of the ACC Tournament when the Hokies won their first-ever conference tournament in 2023. They followed up this season with the program’s first ACC regular-season championship.

Overall, Brooks compiled a 180-82 overall record in Blacksburg, which includes a school-record 31 wins in 2022-23 that culminated in the program’s first-ever Final Four appearance. Amoore was with him for 94 of those. Aside from the shortened pandemic season during her freshman year, Amoore helped lead the Hokies to three-straight seasons featuring 23 wins or more. Over the past two years specifically, she’s spearheaded an effort that has seen Virginia Tech win 56 of their last 69 games.

Now, this group will look to continue that same success in Lexington. It remains to be seen if Brooks is done adding talent from the transfer portal, but if one thing is for sure — Kentucky women’s basketball is feeling pretty good about where they’re at during the early offseason.