'I really felt it was something special I wanted to be a part of.' Kaelyn Carroll talks her commitment to Kentucky WBB

On Wednesday, 2025 five-star wing Kaelyn Carroll announced her commitment to Kentucky over Villanova, Minnesota, Florida State, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia Tech. She talked about her decision with KSR.

The relationship that Carroll built with Kenny Brooks during her recruitment was the main thing that sold her on being a Wildcat.

“I started building my relationship with Coach Brooks and the coaching staff while at Virginia Tech, and when he moved to Kentucky and re-offered me, there was no question I wanted to take an official [visit] and learn more about UK,” Carroll told KSR. “My visit was awesome, the campus was great and meeting the players and the chemistry they had already started to build so quickly; I really felt it was something special I wanted to be a part of.”

She added, “That was important to me in finally choosing a school, was being part of a growing program and seeing the relationship the coaches have with their players. I think chemistry is so important in achieving goals as a team and the best way to make a run in the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. I want to be part of that build and plan for success.”

Being a 6-foot-2 wing with tons of potential, Carroll is going to provide a level of versatility that will allow her to thrive under Brooks’ coaching.

“We have had a lot of great conversations on how I can come in and use my versatility to contribute in different ways,” Carroll explained. “I like that a lot. I feel I’m very efficient in certain areas and love the development plan they have for me on things I can work on to be successful at the next level . I just can’t wait to work with the team and be a piece of the plan Coach Brooks has for Kentucky women’s basketball.”