FILM ROOM: Josie Gilvin is more than just a simple 3-and-D guard

Last year, we begun the KSR Film Room series — a series where we analyzed the film of each player on the team and broke down the tape to get to know their game a little bit. We’ll be doing the same with each acquisition Kenny Brooks gets this offseason.

To get an idea of what this series will entail, choose from any of last year’s editions to scan through:

• Georgia Amoore FILM ROOM
• Dazia Lawrence FILM ROOM
• Clara Strack FILM ROOM
• Jordan Obi FILM ROOM
• Amelia Hassett FILM ROOM
• Saniah Tyler FILM ROOM
• Teonni Key FILM ROOM
• Clara Silva FILM ROOM
• Tanah Becker FILM ROOM
• Lexi Blue FILM ROOM
• Cassidy Rowe FILM ROOM
• Dominika Paurová FILM ROOM

Now, without further ado, let’s get this show on the road and look at some film of Josie Gilvin.

Being able to knock it down, even with a defender in her face

A lot of shooters need to be open to hit their shot consistently. Maybe not wide open, but at least a fair amount of breathing room to fire away comfortably. You often see a lot of sets or actions to get shooters open, but they don’t always work like they should.

Last season, Gilvin shot a Conference USA-best 41.3% from three-point range. A lot of the time, there was a hand in her face, but she does a great job of maintaining focus and drilling the shot.

At times — and especially to begin the year — Kentucky’s three-point shooting this year was less than stellar. Having someone as consistent from beyond the arc as Gilvin is should prove to pay dividends.

Playing with intent and a high motor when defending the perimeter

When you see players like Gilvin transfer to a school like Kentucky, one of the big questions that tends to arise is if she’ll be able to hang in the SEC from an athletic standpoint. We know she can shoot, and the rim is still circular, orange and 10 feet up in any conference you play in. But will she be able to defend against bigger, stronger and faster guards?

It surely seems like she can.

Gilvin’s 6-foot frame will allow her to be competitive on the defense end, but even is she is outmatched physically at times, the way she defends will be a problem for opposing teams.

She is very active on the perimeter, always ready to attack a passing lane or reach in when the ball handler gets a little too careless. Gilvin is also very good about seeing things before they happen as she reads the play as it develops. That allows her to jump the gun and go get the steal.

Fighting for positioning down low for rebounds

At WKU, Gilvin had to play bigger than she is. Though she’s probably more like combo guard, she had to play like a stretch forward. That forced her to have to bang down low sometimes. But hey, she ended up getting pretty good at it.

Her first two season, she averaged 2.2 rebounds and 2.7 rebounds per game, but that number jumped to 6.3 as a junior, and it’s not all because of more playing time.

Gilvin works tirelessly to make sure she’s in the best position possible to make an impact on the glass. Literally, she’ll give you the textbook box out and scrap for the rebound.

She’s the ultimate hustle player, and that’ll surely bode well for her at Kentucky under Brooks.

2025-26 Kentucky WBB Roster Tracker

There are currently six open scholarships to potentially be filled:

Want more Kentucky WBB Transfer Portal Coverage? Join KSR+

KSR has been delivering UK Sports news in the most ridiculous manner for almost two decades. Now, you can get even more coverage of the Cats with KSR+. In the middle of a busy transfer portal season for the Kentucky women’s basketball program, now is the perfect time to join our online community. Subscribe now for premium articles, in-depth scouting reports, inside intel, bonus recruiting coverage, and access to KSBoard, our message board featuring thousands of Kentucky fans around the globe. Come join the club.