KENTUCKY BASKETBALL POSTGAME QUOTES

#22 KENTUCKY VS. USC UPSTATE

HISTORIC MEMORIAL COLISEUM – LEXINGTON, KY.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024

                                                Head Coach Kenny Brooks

 Opening statement…

“Really happy to get that one underneath our belt. There’s so many new adventures today. I didn’t know where to go for pregame, how to get to the locker room before the game situation, and just walking out. So everything’s new. So with the excitement of all that, you know, the butterflies and everything, and I know they felt the same way, just really wanting to get going, I thought they did handle themselves very well. We obviously have a lot to work on to get to where we want to be and we want to continue to climb. But I thought they did a really good job of, you know, playing hard. We had some moments where we have some miscommunications and things of that nature, but I don’t think it was for lack of effort. So, you know, kudos to Jason (Williams) and his group at USC Upstate. I think they’re going to have a really good year in their conference in the Big South, but it was good for us because they’re a very methodical offense, and they make you work. They want to slow the tempo down, and but I thought we were extremely efficient with that offense, and got good looks, took advantage of our opportunities, and so it’s a good start. And I was so proud of her. I thought she did a really good job of facilitating, getting people to where she they needed to be, taking care of everyone, and as she steps into her role. So I’m excited about where we can go.”

On if you have a target for three-point field goal makes…

“You know, honestly we don’t. We don’t talk about how many we want. We want everything to happen organically, we do a lot of individual work with our kids and they practice the shots that we want them to take, we let them know that if you’re open, or Ameila (Hassett) has this case if you’re not open, let it fly. She’s got such a high release, she shoots that thing and she doesn’t see anybody in front of her and we love that. We don’t (plan a target number) but its funny, we don’t talk about it but we always hit that mark where its usually about 24 to about, some days it could be 32. I think as you’re gonna see with our dominate post- play, we’re gonna throw the ball to the side and you’re gonna start seeing some double teams and kicking it out. Some of those days it could be 32 so, we don’t have a target number, we just say if you’re open with the shots that we practice you know, let it fly.”

UK Student-Athletes  

#3, Georgia Amoore, PG 

On her ability at point guard…

“Yeah, I mean, we all have value. And I think in practice, we all prove that we can score. And I think, with all respect to USC Upstate games like this, it’s time to introduce people and get people comfortable and share the love like this. Times like this, as I mentioned before, like we build chemistry, take these shots and see where we can go, because later on down the line is whose game is it going to be? You know, going to have someone that has to step up. If they haven’t prepared in these games, then maybe they’re not as ready as we need them to be. So, I think this was perfect, just getting the ball to everyone and sharing the love.”

On how it feels to wear the uniform….  

“Yeah, it was really cool. I think the summer was quick, but it was long. You know, you’re itching for the first game. And I don’t know if it’s all the changes, like Coach Brooks said, the routine this morning, I was all over the place. But once you stepped onto the court, it was good. I couldn’t be more happy to be here, and my experience so far has been so good. And you know, I’m so excited for what we can create here. You know, we had a decent crowd today, but I hope in the future, the happiness we bring and the joy and excitement, I hope that that continues to grow, and we turn UK back into a real powerhouse, high ranked team.”