Teonni Key, second from left, was one of the UK representatives at the SEC Leadership Council. (UK Athletics Photo)
Senior forward Teonni Key was UK’s representative for the women’s basketball council at the Southeastern Conference Leadership Council in July.
“It was really good. Everybody from the SEC schools was there (Birmingham) and we were doing different meetings and stuff with the (SEC) Commissioner (Greg Sankey) and other different people,” Key said. “We were honestly learning and just soaking it all in, especially with all the changes going on now with NIL and everything.
“Meeting the commissioner was great but meeting other athletes from different sports and just sharing experiences with other athletes was really great.”
While Key said she didn’t have any suggestions for Sankey, other athletes did have random ideas and suggestions he was willing to hear.
Key does have a suggestion for UK fans about what the upcoming team that coach Kenny Brooks has put together will be like.
“Our pace, we’re really going to be really fast, really versatile. A lot of really electric players and a lot of pace,” Key said.
Key learned last year how physical Southeastern Conference play can be after transferring from North Carolina to UK. She averaged 11.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks (fifth in the SEC) and 1.7 assists along with 28.2 minutes per game last season.
“It helped me a lot getting that experience playing against other good people and translating that into these summer workouts,” Key said.
The 6-foot-4 senior won’t be disappointed if she plays fewer minutes this year because of UK’s improved depth.
“I don’t think anything would disappoint me. Honestly, I am just so excited to be out there with everybody. I can’t wait. It’s going to be a really good year, especially playing with Millie (Amelia Hassett) and Clara (Strack) again,” she said. “Being my senior year, I’m going to take every day, step by step, and really soak it all in.
“It will definitely be huge, having more depth. That (lack of depth) got us in trouble a little bit last year with foul trouble and stuff like that. So just strengthening the people who are on the court and then also adding that depth will let us be a lot more versatile offensively and defensively.”
