Kaelyn Carroll – with coach Kenny Brooks – was a 44 percent 3-point shooter during her high school junior season. (UK Athletics Photo)
Before Kenny Brooks became the Kentucky women’s basketball coach, top 20 prospect Kaelyn Carroll admits she did not know a lot about UK.
“I knew a lot about the boys side and how great they are and how it is a big athletic school, but that was about it,” the 6-2 wing from Massachusetts said. “Definitely coach Kenny is the big reason I came here.”
The five-star win player picked the Cats over South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Villanova and Minnesota. She had over 40 scholarship offers and her first one came when she was in the eighth grade.
She was a 44 percent shooter from 3-point range at Tabor Academy last season.
Carroll had a scholarship offer from Brooks at Virginia Tech but once he moved to UK his assistant coaches reached out quickly with a Kentucky offer as well.
“Coach (Lindsey) Hicks is amazing,” Carroll said. “I really like her, too. I also clicked really well with most of the girls on my visit. The coaches did not really talk to me a lot about what else they might do recruiting-wise but that’s fine because I know who they have on the team already.
“I think basically Kentucky was just the right fit for me. Building relationships has been huge for me and I’ve always had a good connection with Kenny. We’ve had good conversations about stuff outside of basketball but also how he will use me in his system and help me transition to college. I think he will give me the opportunity to excel.”
While she’s a proven 3-point shooter, she can do a lot more.
“I think my versatility is really huge. I have been working really hard on using my size more,” the UK signee said. “I definitely will be on the outside a lot because of my shot, but I know Kenny will develop my inside game.
“Growing up I was always a point guard when I was young. I definitely think at the next level I can play different positions and Kenny can help develop my game a lot.”
