Georgia Amoore considers Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks a “second dad.” (Virginia Tech Photo)
The new Kentucky women’s basketball coach worked his recruiting magic Thursday when he added three big-time players to his first UK roster.
It started when junior college standout Amelia Hassett flipped her commitment from Virginia Tech where Brooks had been coaching to Kentucky where he is now coaching. She averaged a double-double last season at Eastern Florida State.
However, that was just the start for Brooks because a few hours later one of the top players in the transfer portal also picked Kentucky. Of course, it was not a huge surprise since Georgia Amoore was a two-time all-ACC point guard at Virginia Tech under Brooks and the 2023 NCAA Tournament West Region MVP when the Hokies reached the Final Four.
Amoore averaged 18.8 points, 6.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game last season and offers immediate stability to a UK offense and no one knows Brooks’ offense and philosophy better than Amoore.
After Virginia Tech’s NCAA Tournament loss in March, she called Brooks her “second dad” and admitted she was “fearful that we are the same person.”
“I’m a 23-year old-woman and I think I act a little too much like him. That’s my American dad,” Amoore, who is from Australia, said. “We’ve been through some tough times. We’ve been through some great times. It’s a relationship that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life. I know that I always have him and I love him to death.”
The 5-6 Amoore shot 41 percent from the field and 33.5 percent from 3-point range last season. She scored in double figures 30 times last season — she also had nine double-doubles — and had 16 games with 20 or more points. She had 31 points in a loss to No. 3 Iowa and 39 against Virginia.
Amoore is Virginia Tech’s career leader in assists (656), minutes per game (34.3), and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8). She also ranks second in career 3-pointers made (293) and third in points scored (1,853).
Over four seasons with the Hokies, the Australia native holds career averages of 14.7 points, 5.2 assists, and 2.6 rebounds with a 39.7 field goal percentage, 36.1 3-point field goal percentage and 82.2 free throw percentage.
While Kentucky went 12-20 last season and has not really been competitive in the SEC the last two years, Amoore is all about winning. The Hokies won a combined 56 games the last two years
Amoore will have a familiar face on the Kentucky roster with her as 6-5 freshman center Clara Strack announced on Instagram that she would also be transferring to UK to continue her career with Brooks.
Strack became a starter when Tech center Liz Kitley, an All-American, went out with a knee injury in early March. In the first-round NCAA Tournament win over Marshall, Strack had 17 points and five rebounds. In the second round loss to Baylor she had 18 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes.
Kentucky has lacked a dominant inside presence in SEC play and Strack will have the size and physicality to match up with SEC post players.
5 Responses
Oh yes, a GREAT start to rebuilding UKWB!
Addressed the point at a high level, plus the center and power forward positions.
More to come!
Hopefully Amiya Jenkins stays.
Haven’t followed the women’s game as much as I should or will because the coach really hitting the streets running and making some great hits. He also seems a lot more likeable and genuine than the Cali-Fraudi, and it should be easier for more of the BBN to switch allegiances to the ladies.
I think the Kentucky girls team will have the best turnaround out if any program next year. Amoore will be a all american. Strack will be a double double machine next year. Hassett will also be very good in the front court. Strack and Hassett on the block will be nice next year. I’m calling for at least 20 wins and maybe a chance to make next years tournament. That’s a major turnaround for a team that looked like a high school team last year. If we can retain the 2 double figure scorers off this years team we will be in a great position to add more depth in the portal and a couple freshman.
Kenny is already off and running!!! UK may make a run next year at most improved program in women’s college bball. He’s only already doing what every UK fan wants and expects out of every athletics coach: put UK first!!! I think for the most part, that is happening with just about all of KY’s athletic programs, except for one….#UKWOMENSBASKETBALLSCHOOL
And in no time, he’s gonna turn a sh**load of fans over to Mem Coliseum and leave CAL and his NBA draft picks in the dust–fans, trade in your Rupp Arena tickets and go all in on Mem Coliseum instead! Go all in on a competitive winning team who is playing for the name on the front of the jersey rather than the back, and not playing for an NBA draft audition. And go all in on a coach who is coaching FIRST AND FOREMOST TO WIN FOR KY!!!!!