All-American Georgia Amoore has exceeded expectations (UK Athletics Photo)
It’s hard for a basketball player at Kentucky to exceed expectations yet that is exactly what Georgia Amoore has done this season going into today’s home game with Georgia.
She transferred from Virginia Tech to Kentucky where she earned All-American honors and helped the Hokies reach a Final Four so she could continue playing for coach Kenny Brooks and was sensational even before she exploded for a school-record 43 points in a win at Oklahoma. She became the first SEC player to have at least 43 points and eight assists in the same game in 22 years.
She has earned a variety of national honors already this season and is on the watch lists for numerous season-ending awards and is the only Division I player in the nation — man or woman — to have at least 2,000 points and 800 rebounds in her career.
After 23 games the Australian native led the team in scoring (19 points per game), assists (165), 3-point field goals (55), free throw percentage (86.3), and free throws made (69). She is also tied for the lead in steals (23).
Not only has Amoore put in extra hours in the gym — “I spend about six bloody hours per day in the JCC (Joe Craft Center)” — but she has also sat in on meetings with coaches almost daily.
“In previous years I did the same amount of film work but maybe it was on my own time,” Amoore said. “Basketball for me is not stressful to watch. I enjoy being allowed to watch (film) with coaches and the way they discuss things. It is a deeper level of thinking and understanding. They are best at what they do. Just being able to listen is what I wanted to sit in on.
“When I am on the court in the back of my mind will be different tendencies they (opponents) have. (Assistant) Coach (Lindsey) Hicks shares so many things. Teams are doing different scouting things against us, so nothing surprises me completely because of all the work the coaches do.”
Brooks initially reached out to Amoore to see if she would like to watch film with the coaches.
“Once he gave me the green light, I said absolutely. If there was a situation where he did not want me there, fine. I have no shame,” Amoore joked.
She’s a vocal leader on the court, something Brooks wants and expects. Her role at meetings with the coaches is different.
“I am there to listen. I am there to learn. I know this is my learning time,” Amoore said. “When it comes to learning, I am not one speaking up. If I put on a podcast or I am watching a show I am very quiet.
“I do have my spurts of being outgoing and talking a lot. But when it comes time to know I am in a serious meeting, I can be content to set back and listen to what they say.”
Amoore, a fifth-year graduate student, also makes sure to listen to what her professors are saying. The communications major is just as diligent now about her class work even as she nears the end of her collegiate career and the start of her professional career.
“This is my fifth year doing this. I have been in classes during the busiest times,” Admire said. “I have been in classes when we were on a Final Four run. When I am in class, I am in class. I am very good at time management, but basketball still keeps my focus and what I can do to prepare our team for the next game.”
One Response
I just hope Silva stays and doesn’t transfer! I see everyone else coming back but she’s sitting behind a sophomore who is going to be a all American for the next 2 years! Maybe get some twin tower action! Key and Hamsett will be back next year so we will have 3 solid post players next year which kinda makes Silva the odd big out! I think she will be phenomenal her junior and senior year and I think she can make a big leap from her freshman to her sophomore year!