KSR's takeaways from Kentucky WBB 2024-25 Media Day and open practice

The start of the Kenny Brooks era is quickly approaching, and it felt even more so with Media Day taking place on Tuesday inside the Joe Craft Center. For roughly half an hour, Brooks previewed his first season in Lexington. Following that, there were some player interviews, and to wrap things up, there was an open practice to be watched.

KSR was on-site to come up with some takeaways from what all went down on Tuesday.

Kenny Brooks brings the change of pace that this program desperately needed

It goes without saying, but Kenny Brooks is exactly what this program needed. On the court, Brooks is everything that the team had been missing in the last several seasons. He’s methodical in his approach. Everything he says, needs to be said. It’s not just “GO GO GO!!!” Brooks isn’t afraid to interrupt the flow of practice to stop and explain things. It’s a nice (and needed) change of pace.

I could watch Kenny Brooks coach all day.

Very detail-oriented and methodical. Always a rhyme or reason to everything he says. pic.twitter.com/tjrUrDOT3M

— Phoenix Stevens (@PStevensKSR) October 8, 2024

— Phoenix Stevens

Kenny Brooks is experimenting with different lineups

It’s a given that this new team is full of talent. We have All-American Georgia Amoore, Liz Kitley prodigy Clara Strack, and veteran Wildcats Cassidy Rowe and Saniah Tyler. One thing I didn’t expect from Kenny Brooks though, is hearing him say he put 6-foot-3 forward Amelia Hassett at the two. The JUCO transfer has proven to be a diamond in the rough, and that was certainly solidified today. In open practice, Hassett was making shot after shot, making her a very versatile and valuable player to Kentucky. Aside from Hassett, we saw a variety of different lineups in practice today — even Amoore and Rowe teaming up in the backcourt.

— Katie Hutchison

Georgia Amoore is as good as advertised (and maybe even better

Obviously, Georgia Amoore is good, but she’s really, really good. Amoore’s all-around offensive ability is second to none. As a scorer, she can get it done at all three levels, and she’s automatic from the three if she’s open. Perhaps the best part is that Amoore makes everyone around her better. It’s no secret, but Amoore is the life and blood of this team.

— Phoenix Stevens

The entire team shoots lights out

I talked earlier about how players like Amelia Hassett (who are usually meant to be down low) are shining on the perimeter. It isn’t just Hassett who has those hidden talents. Of course, Amoore, Dazia Lawrence, and Rowe are knocking down threes left and right, but so are some of the bigs. Clara Strack and Clara Silva proved today that they’re also able to bury deep shots from time to time. The entire team’s shooting is a complete 180 from what we saw last year. I have faith we’ll get to see some SEC-level offense this season.

— Katie Hutchison

The frontcourt is going to problematic for opposing coaches to deal with

Between Amelia Hassett, Teonni Key, Clara Strack and Clara Silva, I almost feel bad for opposing head coaches. Almost. Instead, I’m stoked for what this group can do. Outside of Silva, the whole group consistently hits threes, and even then, Silva’s post fadeaway is money most of the time too. There’s a lot of size and a lot of talent that Brooks has to work with.

— Phoenix Stevens

Team chemistry is immeasurable

It’s clear that after sitting through a single one-hour practice, this team has chemistry like no other. Fortunately for us, that makes them incredibly fun to watch. Even the way they move the ball around the court is mesmerizing. Thankfully, Coach Brooks is capitalizing on the obvious meshing. Of course he’s experimenting with lineups, but he’s also being sure to play with the ones that work the best. So, if that means Hassett at the two, then so be it! Obviously, she and Amoore must work well together. I guess we won’t find out the true starting lineup until November 4, but until then, we can wait eagerly to see this team in action.

— Katie Hutchison

More Kentucky News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel

Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.