Jazmine Massengill and Jada Walker are the perfect backcourt duo

In the season of thanks, freshman Jada Walker and senior Jazmine Massengill are grateful for one another.

This picture-perfect relationship was never more apparent than during Kentucky’s contest this weekend. On Sunday afternoon, No. 19 Kentucky Women’s Basketball (7-3) defeated the USC Upstate Spartans (8-3) 67-44.

The two Kentucky guards both scored double digits for the ‘Cats. Additionally, Walker and Massengill got more time with one another than usual. With typical starter Robyn Benton out due to a day-to-day ankle injury, Walker was Massengill’s starting backcourt partner. The dynamic duo fit each other like a lock and key.

Jazmine Massengill’s impact on Walker

While Walker may get the majority of the hype between the two, Massengill deserves every bit of praise she receives. The 6-foot guard is the brain behind Kentucky’s high-functioning offense.

Distributing 4.9 assists per game, Massengill leads the ‘Cats in assists. Furthermore, with only 1.3 turnovers per contest, Massengill has one of the highest assist-to-turnover ratios in the country.

Much of Massengill’s impressive statistics can be traced back to her poised play. Every move Massengill makes is calculated; a valuable trait head coach Kyra Elzy is happy to have around Walker.

“Jazmine is a great mentor for Jada and they complement each other,” Elzy said. “Jaz is a veteran point guard. She knows when to push, she knows when to pull back time and possession. Jada is a fearless point guard. She’s going hard. She’s going fast.”

While Massengill is teaching Walker to slow down, Walker is teaching her senior leader to do just the opposite.

Jada Walker’s impact on Massengill

Speed up, but don’t rush. Walker has been an instant impact player for the ‘Cats this year. The undersized rookie guard is Kentucky’s fourth-leading scorer with 11.5 points per game; nearly doubling Massengill’s 6.5 points per contest.

Walker has what Massengill lacks at times, the urge to get herself a bucket. The 5-foot-7 guard is instant relief for the occasional offensive Kentucky headache. If Walker’s aggressive play can land her in trouble, then maybe Massengill needs a little more trouble in her life.

In the two games that Walker has started this season, Massengill is scoring two more points per contest than her season average. While the standout freshman is equal in the partnership, she is respectful of her veteran leader.

“We play off each other. I talk to her a lot just to get some point guard insight because she has been in the SEC for a very long time,” Walker said after Kentucky’s win over USC Upstate. “When she throws me the ball she just tells me to rip and go, so that’s what I try to do.”

Walker credited Massengill’s wisdom for allowing her to have a successful season. When asked about the specifics of Massengill’s advice, Walker listed off the tips as if she has a poster of them on her wall.

“Really just slow down and execute. Don’t let the other team speed me up because that’s the goal,” Walker said. “Execute the plays because they work, as we can see.”

A perfect partnership

Peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, and Jada Walker and Jazmine Massengill. If Kentucky’s tactical tandem can continue to grow their connection, the ‘Cats will have a direct line to victory this season.

Although Massengill’s time at Kentucky may be coming to an end soon, she is actively creating one of the most promising players at UK since Rhyne Howard. In a turn of events, Massengill’s final assist for the Wildcats may not be giving a teammate a bucket, but giving the program a future star in Walker.