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Kenny Brooks needs a recruiting win: Women’s basketball recruiting updates for 2025 class

Brooks is winning on the floor but would love to find a win in the recruiting circuit.

ByMark Knight|
March 25, 2023; Seattle, WA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Kenny Brooks reacts to a 73-64 win over the Tennessee Lady Vols in an NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen game at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Saturday. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch Ceb Vt Tenn Ncaa Bjp 31
March 25, 2023; Seattle, WA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Kenny Brooks reacts to a 73-64 win over the Tennessee Lady Vols in an NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen game at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on Saturday. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch Ceb Vt Tenn Ncaa Bjp 31 | Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kenny Brooks is 2-0 as the head coach of the women's basketball program, and he has the Lady Cats rolling to start the season. Both wins came in dominating fashion, but there's another win he is looking for, and that is in the recruiting battles. Brooks has yet to secure a 2025 recruit, and in many ways, it seems as if Kentucky women's basketball is forever the bridesmaid, never the bride.

The last few recruits they have been after, Kentucky, was in the final choices but was not picked. Adelaide Jernigan got down to Michigan, Kentucky, and NC State. She chose to stay home and play for NC State. ZaKiyah Johnson, an instate 5-star player, also came down to Louisville, Kentucky, and LSU and chose to go to LSU.

What now for Kentucky women's basketball recruiting?

First, I think it's trusting that Kenny Brooks will get some things going; he's proven in a short time that he can build a squad and get them to succeed on the court. While there's no doubt he's frustrated about coming up short in recruiting, the right players will come, and there are still a few lures in the water.

There are two, for sure. Both are in the top 100, Agot Makeer and Kaelyn Carroll. Both could be nearing commitments soon. Carroll has visited Kentucky, Minnesota, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Villanova.

Makeer is down to her final six and said she wants to commit in November. Those six schools are South Carolina, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Michigan State, and UCONN.

You also never know what sort of rabbit Kenny Brooks can pull out of his hat, like he did with Clara Silva in the last recruiting cycle. She looks like she will be a star in college basketball, and he was able to secure her commitment from overseas.

He will need to secure some commitments, whether in recruiting or in transfers, as three players—Jordan Obi, Georgia Amoore, and Dazia Lawrence—will be graduating from the program at the end of the year.

The other important piece to this is the reality that winning helps with recruiting. As the Kentucky women continue to win and get back into prominence, the recruits will begin to commit to being Wildcats.

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