Robyn Benton will be a pivotal piece for Kentucky WBB next season

As of now, Kentucky Women’s Basketball has five players returning for the upcoming season. While the team is also adding five freshmen, Kentucky’s roster is undoubtedly thin. In the past month, four ‘Cats entered the transfer portal, and Rhyne Howard declared for the WNBA draft.

Simply put, head coach Kyra Elzy is starting from scratch. Nonetheless, after receiving a contract extension through 2027 on Monday, Elzy will have no excuses for a subpar season. Players such as Robyn Benton will be key for Elzy to build upon her foundation.

Robyn Benton as the cornerstone

The 2022-2023 season will be Benton’s breakout year. As a super senior, Benton will have more responsibility than ever. In her 2021-22 campaign, Benton averaged 8.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24.4 minutes per game. Moreover, Benton was a sharpshooter, connecting on 37.3% from beyond the arc.

Benton’s success didn’t come easy. The guard was a consistent starter for Kentucky before she suffered an ankle injury on Jan. 20 against Florida. Benton would not return for 30 days, and her absence was painfully obvious. Without Benton, Kentucky went 1-4, including a loss to an inferior Vanderbilt squad.

Nonetheless, Benton was the light in Kentucky’s darkness. In Benton’s first game back, UK narrowly lost to No. 1 South Carolina. Following the loss, UK rattled off 10-straight wins, capping off the run with a revenge win over South Carolina in the SEC championship.

Robyn SHOWTIME Benton pic.twitter.com/HvlJn5TPJW

— BBN Tonight (@BBNTonight) March 6, 2022

During the conference tournament, Benton proved she could be a star. The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 11 points per contest in the tournament while shooting an impressive 50% from downtown. However, for Benton to be a leader next season, she must improve other aspects of her game.

Where the veteran can still get better

Benton is a scorer. Elzy needs a player. As mentioned previously, Benton averaged just 2.5 boards and 1.5 assists per outing last season. The Conyers, GA native will need to nearly double these figures to be Kentucky’s star.

While this seems like a difficult task, Benton’s numbers will rise as her minutes do. As a player at the forefront of Kentucky’s game plan, Benton will have more opportunities to contribute to the ‘Cats.

Benton grabbed a season-high seven rebounds against DePaul. In what isn’t a coincidence, Benton’s 35 minutes played was a season-high, as well. Conversely, if Benton averages 18 points per game next season, defenses will focus on her. Thus, Benton will be able to find her open teammates.

The future role for Kentucky’s backcourt talent

So, if Benton makes these changes this summer, where will she fit into Kentucky’s lineup next season? Although we don’t know what transfers UK will snag in the offseason, Benton will likely be a figurehead of Kentucky’s backcourt.

It's showtime for Robyn Primetime Benton!@IAmRobynnnn hits her third 3 to grow the Wildcats' lead in the third quarter!

📺 @ESPNU
📱 https://t.co/6hzSpWOPcy#CommitToIt x #SECWBB pic.twitter.com/og8UCBqWZP

— Kentucky WBB (@KentuckyWBB) March 6, 2022

More importantly, Benton can be a mentor to her fellow ‘Cats. The upcoming season will be Benton’s fifth year as a collegiate basketball player. You couldn’t ask for a better leader for incoming first-year guards such as Cassidy Rowe and Saniah Tyler.

Further, Benton will be a guide to potential transfers. Benton began her career at Auburn before transferring to UK for her junior season. As a player who has been through the process, Benton will supply her team with endless knowledge. Elzy can only hope she’ll provide the ‘Cats with an equal amount of buckets.