Ajae Petty makes encouraging first impression for Kentucky WBB

Ajae Petty is Kentucky-ready.

On Wednesday night, Petty stole the show in UK’s 93-45 victory over Pikeville. The contest was an exhibition, but Petty was all business. The LSU transfer led the team with 15 points, six rebounds and four steals in 21 minutes. To pile on, Petty shot 7-10 from the field and had a plus/minus of +26.

Ajae Petty has a career night

Head coach Kyra Elzy was thrilled by Petty’s performance.

“I was so proud of Ajae Petty,” Elzy said after Kentucky’s win. “We really challenged her to put her feet in the paint and score, seven for 10 — we’ll take that.”

Petty will take that, as well. The junior’s 15 points and four steals were both college career highs, topping even her best outings at LSU the previous two seasons. Additionally, Petty’s six rebounds tied her career-high which she recorded as a member of the Tigers against Texas Southern on Dec. 12, 2021. Best of all, Petty’s figures don’t seem to be a fluke.

The hype is real

In the Big Blue Nation’s only other previous chance to see the ‘Cats this season, Petty recorded similar stats. Petty dropped 11 points and four rebounds on 5-9 shooting in the Kentucky Blue-White Game. Moreover, Petty put up these numbers against Kentucky’s starting lineup.

While Petty hasn’t cracked the top five yet, Elzy knows she brings special qualities to this team.

“She can make us different because she’s a physical post with size that can score down low,” Elzy said. “She has great hands and she’s extremely athletic.”

Athletic is an understatement. Standing at 6-foot-3, Petty is the second-tallest player on the team behind Tionna Herron, who is currently inactive. Furthermore, Petty has unmatched strength. The Baltimore, MD native made Pikeville’s players look like chess pieces the way she moved them at will.

Petty puts the team first

Despite all of Petty’s physical qualities, Elzy was most satisfied by her forward’s selflessness.

“She didn’t force shots. If she got it, and they double-teamed, she kicked it out, which she hadn’t been doing early,” Elzy said in the postgame press conference.

Petty looked like the answer off the bench. But, don’t be surprised if soon she’s the answer in the starting lineup.

Watch Petty play again in Kentucky’s first regular season game on Nov. 7. The ‘Cats will take on the Radford Highlanders at 7 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.