Kentucky WBB adds North Carolina transfer wing Teonni Key

Kenny Brooks said that Kentucky women’s basketball is a “sleeping giant”. Although he’s still yet to coach a game for the Wildcats, Brooks is doing a pretty darn good job of putting together a roster that should be very competitive in 2024-25.

On Monday afternoon, North Carolina transfer Teonni Key announced on Instagram that she has committed to Kentucky. Key is a former five-star high school prospect and a top 10-rated recruit from the class of 2021. She was also tabbed to the 2021 McDonald’s All-American Game.

After tearing her ACL in a preseason scrimmage, she redshirted as a freshman in 2021-22 before coming off the bench for North Carolina the past two seasons. Key, who clocks in as a 6-foot-3 wing, transfers to Kentucky with two years of eligibility remaining.

She is the younger sister of 6-foot-6 forward Tamari Key, who played at Tennessee.

*Update (April 16): UK has officially announced Teonni Key as signed*

BREAKING: UNC transfer Teonni Key has committed to KENTUCKY, she announced on Instagram.

The 6-4 forward was the No. 9 overall recruit in the 2021 class (ESPN). pic.twitter.com/dQwmMhjuap

— Phoenix Stevens (@PStevensKSR) April 15, 2024

As a redshirt sophomore this past season for the Tar Heels, Key saw limited minutes. The Cary, NC native appeared in 23 games (zero starts) while averaging 2.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 9.5 minutes per game. Key actually missed the first 10 games of the season due to a low body injury.

Key played in both of North Carolina’s NCAA Tournament games in March, posting five points and seven rebounds in a win over Michigan State before recording four rebounds and two assists in a loss to eventual national champion South Carolina.

During her redshirt freshman season in 2022-23, Key played in 28 games and started one. She posted per-game averages of 2.4 points and 2.4 rebounds in 10.1 minutes per contest. Across both of her seasons at North Carolina, Key shot 42 percent overall from the field and 64.3 percent from the line.

Kentucky WBB 2024-25 updated roster

• Jr. G Cassidy Rowe
• Jr. G Saniah Tyler
• Gr. G Georgia Amoore (Virginia Tech)
• So. C Clara Strack (Virginia Tech)
• Jr. F Amelia Hassett (JUCO)
• Jr. F Teonni Key (North Carolina)
• Fr. G Lexi Blue (4-star)
• Fr. C Clara Silva (international)
• Fr. G Tanah Becker (unranked)