Rhyne Howard discusses time at Kentucky ahead of Team USA tryouts

Rhyne Howard no longer plays for Kentucky, but she’ll always be a Wildcat.

The Kentucky legend had a historic rookie season in the WNBA, averaging 16.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Along the way, Howard raked in an All-Star Game selection, a multi-year shoe deal with Jordan and the 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year Award.

Rhyne Howard on how UK prepared her

Despite the lucrative brand deals and endless accolades, Howard hasn’t forgotten what Kentucky and head coach Kyra Elzy did for her.

“[UK head coach Kyra Elzy] has definitely helped me along the way and just get ready, because of how fast she wanted us to play there,” Howard said in a press conference on Friday. “With the W[NBA], it’s a less amount of time, so you definitely have to be in shape. So coming in and having that in the back of my mind, I was like, ‘Okay, I got to be able to run and defend.’ I feel like [my time at UK] definitely set the tone.”

Representing something bigger

Howard is now preparing for yet another challenge. The Tennessee native spoke with media on Friday via Zoom from the USA Women’s National Team Training Camp in Las Vegas, Nevada. Howard is currently on the third day of tryouts for the team.

Getting in the groove 📈

🇺🇸 #USABWNT pic.twitter.com/QzN0AjM52M

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 8, 2022

Howard has represented her nation with pride in the past. Most recently, Howard led the 2021 Team USA FIBA AmeriCup Team to a 6-0 record while winning MVP honors. The former ‘Cat is excited by the idea of representing the U.S. again.

“It’s not about you when you get to [Team] USA. It’s about USA,” Howard said. “With that across your chest and being on that team — to come out and play against other countries is like really huge.”

Rhyne Howard isn’t satisfied

Most people would think Team USA would be foolish not to select Howard for the team, but the young WNBA star doesn’t see it that way. Howard quickly responded when asked what she still needs to improve in her game.

“Getting to the basket more and finishing through contact because I just started doing that at the end [of the season], and it started to open things up for us,” Howard said. “Converting when I get in there, I feel like that would be No. 1.”

‘Four for 40’

While Howard no longer makes these improvements in Memorial Coliseum, she still has Kentucky’s support. To Howard, Kentucky will always feel like home.

“When you’re at Kentucky, it’s always a family. It’s not just the four years that you’re there,” Howard said. “We like to say ‘Four for 40.’ So, the four years you put in is for the rest of your life.”

BBN will proudly support Howard’s WNBA career, whether it’s four years or four decades long.