Kenny Brooks on Media Day: No. 14 Kentucky WBB Previews 2026-27

Kentucky women's basketball held its annual media day Tuesday at Memorial Coliseum, with head coach Kenny Brooks previewing a No. 14 preseason AP team that opens the regular season Monday, Nov. 2, at home (6:30 p.m. ET, SECN+).

The Cats finished 25-11 last season and reached the Sweet 16. Center Clara Strack headlines the returners after averaging 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds and blocking 91 shots — a school record she is on pace to push further as UK's all-time blocks leader. Brooks said leadership talks with Strack happen in the office every day rather than in formal captains' meetings: "If you try to tell a kid exactly what to do, they're going to memorize it and then it's not going to become theirs."

Asia Boone is back after making 96 threes last season (second in program history). Brooks wants her to be "the best version of what she gave us" and to help the freshmen adjust to SEC venues — "everyone knows who she is" now.

Portal additions Diana Collins (Alabama), Me'Arah O'Neal (Florida), Ayanna Patterson (UConn) and Ajša Sivka (Slovenia) join McDonald's All-Americans Maddyn Greenway, Emily McDonald and Savvy Swords. On Sivka, Brooks joked she "is going to lead us in turnovers the first half of the year" because she sees the floor faster than teammates are ready for — "She's an exceptional talent." On Greenway: "She's extremely coachable, and she wants it." On Swords: "Love her versatility… She just picks everything up so quickly."

Our Take: Brooks has the pieces — a Sweet 16 core, portal size, and a top recruiting class. Chemistry between those three groups is the only real question before tip Monday.

Sources: UK Athletics — Brooks, Cats Ready for 2026-27 Season (Tim Letcher), On3 / KSR — WATCH: Kenny Brooks, Kentucky WBB players preview 2026-27 (Zack Geoghegan)