Josie Gilvin (UK Athletics Photo)
Kenny Brooks compares transfer portal recruiting to speed dating.
“You get to know kids for a couple weeks, they’re making commitments, decisions on where they want to go. You try to put your best foot forward in such a short amount of time to bring people to your program,” the Kentucky women’s coach said at Southeastern Conference Media Days on Tuesday in Birmingham.
“We want to get the right type players. We’re not trying to win a press conference by getting the flashy name. We want to make sure it’s the right fit.”
Brooks believes Kentucky did that with the three players UK targeted and got out of the transfer portal.
“They fit a need we had. They also fit our philosophy, our culture. I think they’re all going to bring something to the table that we desperately needed, which is going to be a depth from our bench,” Brooks said.
Brooks told SEC media members what he liked about the three transfers.
— “You look at Josie Gilvin, a Kentucky kid. Grew up just loving the University of Kentucky. I think she’s going to bring pride, energy, effort. She’s going to bring a swag to us. She’s a great defensive player,” Brooks said.
— “Asia Boone, tremendous shooter. If you saw her in Big Blue Madness, she made her first 14 out of 15 3-point shots. That’s going to help stretch the defense for us,” the Kentucky coach said.
— “You have Tonie Morgan. I coached against Tonie in the ACC. I knew how hard of a guard she was, her experience, bringing in with this particular group, I think it’s going to really help us,” Brooks said.
The trio adds perimeter depth that Brooks and the Cats need this season.
“All three of those young women are going to bring something very valuable to us, something we desperately needed,” Brooks said. “I think that’s going to really help us get to a different level.”
One Response
I think this team will be better than what the only SEC coaches indicate. Finish 8th is what they voted for.