Kenny Brooks sending players to the WNBA is the only recruiting sell he needs at Kentucky

Kenny Brooks is already making his case as the savior of Kentucky basketball. Just two years removed from a 12-20 campaign, Brooks has the women's hoops program fresh off a Sweet 16 and with a top 10 transfer portal class in the nation. His recruiting effort has evidence in the WNBA, after all - what's easier than that to buy into?

Nothing, according to Ayanna Patterson. The former five-star recruit and UConn Huskies transfer big landed in Lexington as a part of Brooks' efforts this offseason. After years of injury issues and limited minutes, she's healthy and ready to get back on track with the Wildcats.

In an appearance with UK Sports Network, Patterson elaborated on her recruiting process and what ultimately drew her to Brooks' team. In just two years, the head coach's production of WNBA talent has added to his pull in Lexington.

After mentioning Teonni Key, who was drafted to the Toronto Tempo in the second round this year, Patterson elaborated on the appeal of that development: "That was another big reason I chose Kentucky, was just seeing Coach Brooks' development of players."

"Me and Teonni have had kind of a similar story, coming from previous universities and wanting a fresh start." Patterson noted the WNBA as something she wanted to accomplish, so seeing Key make it to that level from Kentucky was "huge" for her.

Kenny Brooks' WNBA pitch is a crucial angle for recruits in the NIL era

The NIL era has quickly changed everything we know and love about college sports. Gone are the days of committing to a school for the name on the front of the jersey alone. That may still play a part for some players, but it's more about professional development and brand deals now.

At Kentucky, Brooks has found a way to rebuild a broken basketball culture into something that doesn't live and die by the dollar sign. If the key to that is proving to players that Kentucky can represent a straight shot to the next level, so be it.

After this season, we'll likely see Clara Strack join those professional ranks and add a little bit more credence to Coach Brooks' pitch. The WNBA angle only matters so long as Brooks is succeeding at Kentucky, too.

That doesn't seem to be a serious issue either, though. Things are trending in the right direction for women's basketball in Lexington, and it all stems from a head coach who has evolved to fit the modern mold of success in college sports. Securing Patterson was one of many wins this offseason, and it's only the beginning of what could be building at Memorial Coliseum.

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