'You just want her on the floor.' Amelia Hassett continues to provide much-needed spark for Kentucky WBB

The leading scorer in Kentucky’s win over Purdue was Amelia Hassett, who had 22 points against the Boilermakers on 7-13 (5-10 3PT) shooting. She has steadily improved over the course of the season, she continues to provide the much-needed spark that this team desperately needs sometimes.

Georgia Amoore, who had a big night herself, commented on her teammate’s all-around ability following the 82-52 win.

“We know her as a shooter, right,” Amoore said. “Obviously, she’s got that mentality, and today, she was 5 for 10. Coach Brooks joked that in the first half that she might have been 0 for 22 or whatever it was, but it’s that mentality she has. But for me, it’s just the trust and the aggression that she’s bringing. She’s attacking more now than she had when she first came in. But defensively as well, she’s reliable when she switches onto other people. She’s so versatile.”

Hassett is relentless in trying to perfect her craft, and it helps that she’s like a sponge in the way that she just tries to absorb as much knowledge and information as possible along the way.

“I’m just so excited for her because of the way she’s growing her game, and she hasn’t given up,” Amoore added. “Like everything that we’ve toyed with or taught her or told her to do, it’s never wavered from her shot. That’s what makes her great. She’s willing to expand on everything else. I’m super proud of her because it’s not easy.”

Kenny Brooks added to what the former All-American point guard had to say.

“[Amelia Hassett is] very coachable,” Brooks mentioned. “Whatever we throw at her, she’s willing to listen and apply. You look at her, and as Georgia mentioned, she had probably three or four shots that I felt like were in, and her confidence never wavered, and that’s what we needed from her. In the second half, she probably took a couple quick ones, but I was like ‘Man, just leave her alone. Let her go’. We want her to be confident. I’ve said it before, I really think there’s gonna be multiple games where she’s gonna score six three-pointers in a game. Tonight, she was very close to it.”

Similarly to what Amoore said, it’s the fact that Hassett is willing to adapt to any role that makers her so valuable to this team.

“Her intent is always perfect,” Brooks explained. “She doesn’t always get to the spot, but her intent — she’s always right around where she’s supposed to be, and she’s willing to listen and learn. A kid like that becomes a security blanket for you. You just want her on the floor. I feel really good when she’s on the floor, and that’s because we’re building trust together.”