UK Athletics Photo
This has to be a game Emma King had been waiting for because when she got her chance to play a career-high 37 minutes against Boston College Thursday night, she took advantage of it in a big way in Kentucky’s 83-81 win.
The graduate guard from Lincoln County hit a 3-pointer to open the scoring and finished the game with a season-high nine points on 4-for-10 shooting. However, here’s what is more impressive — she had a career-high seven rebounds because she was forced to play center a lot rather than just her normal wing spot.
King also had three assists and one block, both season highs.
Coach Kyra Elzy said after UK’s third win that she talked to King before the game and asked what was the best game she had ever played. King told her she once hit 10 3’s in a game at Lincoln County.
“I was like, well, listen, let’s go back to that play with that confidence and I thought she played with poise and confidence. She made some big plays that I thought really ignited us with the offensive rebounds, the putbacks, the and ones,” Elzy said. “I thought she was solid.
“At one point Emma was our five so she can play all positions, has a high basketball IQ, but it’s her toughness.”
No one bleeds blue more than King. She’s not been able to play as much as she hoped at UK but she’s never quit smiling or believing.
She was a knockdown shooter in high school. She’s had trouble consistently making shots but she’s improved her defense and rebounding as she proved again Thursday night.
Elzy gave King a well deserved hug after the win.
“I love that kid. Kentucky kid that loves this university, loves this program. She’s going to sell out so to see her have the success … she’s put so much work into it,” Elzy said. “Just so happy for her and we are all celebrating.”
Me, too. I’ll quickly admit there is a lot of bias on my part for King because I’ve watched her play for years and there’s not a better person to be around on or off the court. I also understand the hours she puts into training and the love she has for Kentucky.
“Emma King played the three, four, five so we have to be able to move around but we do play positionless basketball. We practice that way – they are confident and we just talk about the next man up. We had to be able to make plays and everyone came in and made plays,” Elzy said after the game.
“We wanted to have fun today and be fearless and just can’t tell you how proud I am of this team –it’s been a rough week. For them to bounce back and come back with a gritty win – that’s going to give us the confidence that we need.”
I guarantee you no one had more fun than King helping UK win and no one enjoyed watching her get a chance to do that more than me.
