'Kentucky fans have a lot, a lot, a lot to be excited about.' ESPN's Rebecca Lobo has high expectations for Kenny Brooks

With Kenny Brooks‘ first season as the head coach of Kentucky women’s basketball just around the corner, the excitement for the program is at an all-time high — not just from within the Big Blue Nation, but on the national level as well.

ESPN women’s college basketball analyst and commentator Rebecca Lobo talked to KSR about the ‘Cats and what can be expected heading into November. Of course, it’s hard to know what to expect given all the new pieces on the team, but Kentucky has a few star players who should give the ‘Cats a high floor and a lot of potential to work with.

“I’m really excited to see what Coach Brooks can do because not only did he go to Kentucky, but he brought a couple of his players with him, specifically Georgia Amore,” Lobo told KSR. “It’s hard [to know what to expect] the first couple of weeks of a season now because there’s so much movement with the transfer portal. So, it’s not just coaches moving, it’s players moving — roster turnover.”

She added, “Sometimes, you don’t really know what to expect from some teams. Kentucky would be one, but I’m excited to see what Kenny can do there. And Georgia is such an electric, impactful player. It’s just going to be fun to kind of see how quickly they are able to build something with so many new pieces.”

With only two of the 13 players on this roster having played for Brooks in the past, it’s uncertain just how well this group is going to mesh. However, Brooks has been able to create success in the transfer portal era, and a large part of that success is due to the culture and environment in his programs.

“I think [how the team will mesh is] the question because what’s a little bit unique is, even at other programs, if a coach is established and brings in transfers, you usually still have a contingent of rollover players who can help establish what the culture is,” Lobo explained. “Because that’s a big thing for a coach, of course, is what is the culture and assimilating the new players, whether it’s freshmen or transfers to that culture, but when you’ve gone somewhere new, everybody is kind of learning that culture together and in a new way. He’s got his two transfers from Virginia Tech which certainly help that process.”

Kentucky has a healthy mix of youth and experience, and Lobo believes that will prove helpful moving forward. It also helps to have an All-American point guard to steer the ship too.

“It’s usually teams that have a little bit more experience and are established that have more success,” Lobo said. “It’ll be intriguing to see how quickly things can can get done there because your most important position, of course, is your point guard position, and they’re solid with that. The day-in and day-out of what things are important, what things matter to a coach and a program or part of a culture, it might take a little bit of time to establish that for a new coach, even if they brought a couple of pieces with them.”

And speaking of Kentucky’s All-American point guard, Lobo made the comparison between her and WNBA legend Becky Hammon, who was a 6x WNBA All-Star and 4x All-WNBA selection. Hammon, like Amoore, is 5-foot-6 and was undersized compared to her professionial counterparts.

However, like Hammon, Amoore has a skill set that should not only allow her to be successful at the college level at Kentucky, but following that when she’s eventually in the WNBA.

“Georgia is small, but not much smaller than Becky Hammon,” Lobo noted. “I think as she continues to increase her range, which is already super deep, and she’s crafty around the rim, like Becky was crafty around the rim, and she has a next level pick and roll game. She has great leadership. She obviously has international experience as well. I think she’s going to be super intriguing to WNBA general managers. The game has gotten bigger since Becky played it, but could Becky have thrived in the current era of the WNBA? Absolutely. So, it’s going to be kind of interesting to see where Georgia fits in — what kind of a year she has this year. She has a ton of pro-game tools and things that you know will probably translate at the next level.”

When you pair Amoore with Brooks, it’s clear that Kentucky can do some special things this season. However, that success isn’t just going to be a one-hit wonder.

“I definitely think [Kenny Brooks’ success at putting players in the WNBA] will continue at Kentucky,” Lobo mentioned. “I think Kenny is an outstanding coach and a terrific recruiter, and he proved that. He’s proved that at every stop along the way, and to be a really good college team, you have to have really talented players who typically end up in the pros. I would expect that will be the cycle that that Kenny is able to start again at Kentucky. I think people want to play for him. He plays a fun style. He’s a great coach with a great reputation. Now, in one of the elite women’s basketball conferences, I think Kentucky fans have a lot, a lot, a lot to be excited about this year and into the future years with Kenny Brooks at the helm.”

Expect Brooks to make winning at the highest level the standard at Kentucky sooner rather than later.