Teonni Key Grateful to UK, Excited For Teammates

Grateful is a word Kentucky senior Teonni Key used several times Tuesday when she talked about being the 22nd overall pick in Monday’s WNBA Draft. The 6-foot-5 forward was picked in the second round by the Toronto Tempo, a new WNBA team

Teonni Key, a 6-5 forward from Cary, North Carolina, was chosen in the second round as the 22nd overall pick to the Toronto Tempo. Key averaged a career-high 11.4 points per game last season and was in the top 10 in the SEC in blocked shots.

Key’s agent let her know where she was going in the draft before the pick was officially made.

“I think it is going to be a great year,” Key said. “I have just been soaking it all in.”

Toronto made 5-foot-11 UCLA guard Kiki Rice its first pick. She averaged career-highs of 14.9 points on a .490 field goal percentage for the national champion Bruins. She can play on and off the ball and also initiate the offense. Rice can also be a lockdown defender.

Key played against Rice when both were competing in the Nike EYBL.

“She is a great player. I watched her in the championship game. Her career has been really good and I am super excited just to get started with her,” Key said.

Key played sparingly in an injury-filled three years before transferring to Kentucky and thriving in coach Kenny Brooks’ system.

“Kentucky was so amazing. It was such a great opportunity. I am forever grateful,” Key said. “They gave me a chance, loving me and showing me how good I can be. I am super grateful for my time at Kentucky. Outside of basketball, it has been amazing, too. Everybody was so welcoming. Just genuine people. It was better than I could have ever imagined it would have been.”

Three other UK players were also drafted. Point guard Tonie Morgan was picked 32nd by Chicago, wing Amelia Hassett 35th by LA and guard/forward Jordan Obi 44th by Las Vegas.  The Wildcats’ four selections are the most in a single draft in program history, breaking the previous record of two picks in 2017.

“I was screaming at the TV. Like all four of us (got drafted),” Key said. “That is a testament to coach Brooks and his staff. I think it just shows how much they really cared about us and poured into us. It was honestly surreal to see all the names (being drafted). I was more excited for them than myself.”