How Adebola Adeyeye will fit in with Kentucky WBB

Adebola “Adie” Adeyeye is the first offseason transfer addition for Kentucky Women’s Basketball since the 2021-22 seasons came to a close.

On Thursday afternoon, Kentucky announced the Buffalo transfer has signed with the program. After losing four players to the transfer portal and Rhyne Howard to the WNBA Draft, Kentucky will welcome Adeyeye with open arms. Let’s get to know the new Wildcat.

Another big addition for the Cats! 😼

Welcome to #BBN, @rachel2beauty!https://t.co/WlzEw2MyyU#CommitToIt x #BlueMagic pic.twitter.com/hR2dVBFPUU

— Kentucky WBB (@KentuckyWBB) April 14, 2022

All about Adebola Adeyeye

The 6-foot-2 forward averaged 6.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per game last season. Moreover, Adeyeye was efficient, shooting a team-high 56% from the field.

Adeyeye is a graduate transfer. During her four years at Buffalo, Adeyeye started in 76 games. The Ontario, Canada native is a big-time player. In the 2022 Mid-American Conference championship against Ball State, Adeyeye snagged 12 rebounds to boost Buffalo to victory. She played eight minutes in Buffalo’s NCAA Tournament opening-round loss to Tennessee, snagging four rebounds in the process.

Adeyeye didn’t begin playing basketball until early middle school. Nonetheless, fueled by the competition with her brothers, Adeyeye soared to new heights. In high school, Adeyeye received an offer to play at The Rock, a prep school in Florida. Head coach Kyra Elzy believes Adeyeye’s talents will mesh well with the ‘Cats.

“She visited campus recently and I could tell it was a perfect fit right away. Her values match our program’s core values perfectly. She is a high-motor player with a great basketball IQ. Ade is fun to watch play because she brings elite energy to the floor at all times. She is an exceptional rebounder and really brings a tenacity to the glass. Ade is the exact type of player and person we were looking to add and cannot wait to get her on campus soon,” Elzy said in a press release.

Where will the newcomer fit in?

Adeyeye will be a major contributor for Kentucky next season. After losing three forwards in Dre’una Edwards, Olivia Owens and Treasure Hunt to the transfer portal, the ‘Cats desperately need size. Adeyeye gives Kentucky just that.

The Buffalo transfer will provide Elzy with another option if Nyah Leveretter or Tionna Herron underperform. Additionally, Adeyeye provides experience that neither of Kentucky’s other forwards has. Despite her talents, she must improve some areas of her game.

Specifically, Adeyeye has to improve her range. In 565 minutes played last season, Adeyeye didn’t attempt a single 3-pointer. In contrast, Edwards had 55 3-point attempts and shot a respectable 34.5% from downtown. With small guards such as Jada Walker and Robyn Benton, Kentucky can’t afford for Adeyeye to clog the paint.

Although Adeyeye isn’t a perfect transfer, she is a transfer. After losing over 70% of their scoring this offseason, Elzy will take all the help she can get. Perhaps Adeyeye is the first hill in a rollercoaster of an offseason.