Kenny Brooks is all about relationships, and it's paid off with his best Kentucky team yet

Kenny Brooks took Kentucky to the Sweet 16 in just his second year behind the wheel. The team falling short to the No. 1 Texas Longhorns, while disappointing, far from undercuts what Brooks is building in Lexington. It's all about connections to the Cats coach, and that personable philosophy has led to his best Kentucky team yet in the 2026-27 season.

Wildcats transfer forward Me'Arah O'Neal elaborated on what stood out to her about Kentucky during her recruiting process with UK Sports Network. According to O'Neal, it all goes back to Brooks at the end of the day.

"Coach Brooks, he's a fun guy..." began O'Neal, reflecting on the time prior to her commitment. "If I didn't talk to him every day, it was probably every other day that I talked to him, it was just regular conversation," she continued.

"I love that. It allows us to have a good relationship... just the brand of basketball here is so huge, and everybody is so invested, and I love them."

Coming off a two-year stint with the Florida Gators, it's inarguable that O'Neal upgraded as far as the brand goes. That's the daughter of Shaquille O'Neal, after all; if anyone knows a basketball all the way around, it's her.

Me'Arah O'Neal Defines a Knockout Transfer Class for Kenny Brooks

Overall, Brooks has put together the No. 6 transfer class in the nation this season. O'Neal comes out at the front of that group as an expected weapon on multiple levels.

In her most recent run in Gainesville, O'Neal averaged 13.6 points per game, along with 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals and blocks. She's a menace on both sides of the ball, and having nearly tripled her scoring average from year one (4.8), she's capable of another leap this season in Lexington.

Notably joining O'Neal are Diana Collins and Ayanna Patterson. Collins was a sharpshooter at Alabama last season, knocking down almost 40% of her attempts from range. Her senior year at Historic Memorial Coliseum should see an uptick in opportunities and production, much like O'Neal.

Patterson, on the other hand, is a former five-star big who has fought to get back to playable health. She's more of an investment based on potential for Brooks and Kentucky, but it's hard to say no to a 6-foot-2 forward who can dunk. That's another take for Brooks' crew.

That's a crew that has what it takes to make the splash that the Big Blue Nation have been waiting on since Brooks was hired. He's here to contend, and the incoming season, led by O'Neal and her fellow transfers, looks like his best bet to do so yet.

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