Tonie Morgan is Happy to be at Kentucky

Kenny Brooks first recruited transfer Tonie Morgan when she was in high school. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Tonie Morgan played against coach Kenny Brooks twice when he was at Virginia Tech. The 5-foot-9 point averaged 13.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game in three seasons at Georgia Tech and twice earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors.

When she had a chance to transfer to Kentucky and take over the spot vacated by All-American Georgia Amoore, she took it because she believes playing for Brooks will elevate her game.

“He recruited me out of high school. We’ve always known each other and I knew this (Kentucky) was definitely a possible destination. I’m happy to be here and know coach Brooks can prepare me to be a pro because that is what I want to be,” Morgan said.

“I’ve seen him do it with multiple guards. Knowing he has a blueprint, I trust his plan. Coach Brooks is a great coach, even better guy. I’m just happy to be here.”

Morgan will also get the benefit of having former Virginia Tech star Taylor Soule, another former All-ACC selection, coaching her. Soule was on Brooks’ 2022-23 Final Four team along with Amoore but now she is a program assistant for the Cats.

Smith, the 28th pick in the 2023 WNBA draft, played two years in the WNBA and overseas in 2023 and 2024 before an injury stopped her career. She averaged 10.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game on Virginia Tech’s Final Four team. She was a four-year letter player at Boston College and scored over 1,500 points before transferring to Virginia Tech to play for Brooks her final collegiate season.