Kentucky WBB forward Ajae Petty named SEC Player of the Week

Ajae Petty was a huge reason why Kentucky women’s basketball won back-to-back games last week, and now she’s being recognized for her efforts.

On Tuesday, the Southeastern Conference announced that Petty was named the league’s Player of the Week for her performances against Boston College and Tennessee Tech. The 6-foot-3 senior forward out of Baltimore, MD averaged 25.0 points and 11.5 rebounds on 65.6 percent shooting in those two games.

Petty went for 17 points (8-12 FG) and eight rebounds in 25 minutes against Boston College before posting career-highs in points (33) and rebounds (15), along with three blocks, in 36 minutes against Tennessee Tech. She became the first Kentucky player in over a decade to record at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in one game and the fourth in program history. The last Wildcat to score at least 30 points in a game was Rhyne Howard in March 2022.

Big week for AP. 💪#BBN, show some love to the @SEC Player of the Week, @AjaePetty15.

Read more » https://t.co/z17WNeG8Aa pic.twitter.com/JfRWkSDlHy

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) December 5, 2023

Behind Petty’s production, Kentucky won both games last week, beating Boston College 83-31 on Thursday before taking down Tennessee Tech 73-67 on Sunday. Both games took place at Transylvania’s Clive M. Beck Center, where the Wildcats are now 3-0 this season. Kentucky was coming off a rough five-game losing streak before last week.

Petty is now up to four double-doubles on the season through her first nine games. She currently leads the entire SEC in overall field goal percentage (60.9) and is third in the league in rebounds (9.8)

Next up for Kentucky (4-5) is a home game at Rupp Arena on Wednesday against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-1). Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on the SEC Network+.