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Kentucky coach Kyra Elzy had her time at the Southeastern Conference Media Days Thursday in Birmingham.
She talked about how she hopes having veteran guards helps the team get off to a faster start this season and believes her team is more “invested” in winning this season.
Here is more of what Elzy had to say:
Q. Your former player Rhyne Howard is back in the SEC at Florida. What is it like having her back? Any discussion with her to have her maybe come to Kentucky?
KYRA ELZY: I’m so happy for Rhyne. She’s an unbelievable talent. She knows exactly where home is. She had a great career at Kentucky. Relationship goes way beyond the four years.
I’m excited for her to be back in the SEC. Something on her résumé. Obviously she’s killing it in the WNBA. When the ball stops bouncing, our goal for every player, not just Rhyne, is to make sure they’re prepared for life after basketball.
She was just in Lexington maybe a week ago, she was in our huddle. I said, You know what, I’m just so proud of you. Have a WNBA job, but another job. You are a productive citizen of the world.
We did something right at Kentucky. Happy and proud for her.
Q. What do you think is the overall state of the SEC right now?
KYRA ELZY: Well, this league is the best league in the country for a reason. Unbelievable coaches, a lot of talented players. It is a gauntlet. Every day you have to bring your A game.
But I just think the caliber of teams that we have, when you look at the reigning national champion, they have been from the SEC. In order to be the best, you have to play the best, and the best is the SEC Conference.
Q. Can you speak a little bit about recruiting Brooklynn Miles out of the portal, then the other folks you’ve brought on that are new this year.
KYRA ELZY: Brooklynn Miles, it’s been great to have her back home. She’s a Kentucky girl. We recruited her on the front end. Obviously it didn’t work out for us, but it’s been great having her back.
Brooklynn brings that dog and edge that we need. She’s very competitive. She’s a vocal leader. But she also understands what it means to put that Kentucky jersey on, being from the state of Kentucky.
We have two freshmen in Janae Walker and Jordy Griggs. I love their competitive spirit. But they’re being coachable right now. It’s a transition to be a freshman. They don’t know what hit them yet. They’re still trying to get through practice. I love their ability to be resilient. They will both help us.
Q. Maddie Scherr has been impressive for you guys. How would you describe her evolution since she arrived?
KYRA ELZY: Maddie Scherr is a pro. I think she came in a year ago and was baptized by fire, was still trying to find her way, her voice on this team. Towards the end of last year she found that. This summer she’s really emerged as the leader on this team.
You’re not going to find anyone more competitive than her. Even in practice, she will take a coach’s practice play, to make sure the scoring is correct, so she has to read over it before we start the drill so she makes sure her team is getting the correct points on the board.
But her competitive spirit, she’s going to fight, claw. She loves winning. That is contagious. I think she will really come into her own this year. Now she knows where she fits.
