Kenny Brooks was the first Kentucky women's basketball coach to make headlines.
On Monday, the program officially announced that former Virginia Tech point guard Georgia Amoore will transfer to Kentucky, following her former coach to Lexington.
“We are thrilled to add Georgia to the Kentucky roster,” Brooks said in a statement Monday. “Her work ethic and track record will help us as we look to build Kentucky into a competitive team. “Increase reliability. Our experience will help make the transition smoother.” We can’t wait for BBN to experience her passion for gaming!”
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The Australian native is receiving a lot of attention as Brooks builds the program in Lexington. Not only is she familiar with Brooks' system, but she's one of the top point guards in the nation. This season, she was named one of five finalists for the Nancy Lieberman Award, given to the nation's top female point guard, earning her second All-ACC first team honor.
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During his first four years with the Hokies, Amoore became Virginia Tech's all-time career leader in assists (656), second in 3-pointers (330) and third in points (1,853). It became. Amoore, who was slated to be a first-round pick in the WNBA Draft, plans to use his extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 to play for the Wildcats and Brooks.
Here's what you need to know about Amoore and why she transferred to Kentucky.
Why did Georgia Amoore transfer to Kentucky?
When Brooks left Virginia Tech for the Kentucky job, speculation began to grow that Amoore would follow his former coach from Blacksburg, Virginia to Lexington. Those assumptions were made after she entered the portal, two days after Brooks was hired by the University of Kentucky, without giving Brooks' successor at VA Tech, Marquette's Megan Duffy, a chance to retain her. It got louder after I saw a message next to her that said, “Do not contact me.” name.
Amoore, who had a career season with the Hokies under Brooks last year and earned All-ACC first-team honors, said he had a very close relationship with Brooks and would have committed to Kentucky if he didn't make the WNBA. There is another trend. She wrote the draft, but she didn't.
“I came here and trusted Coach Brooks 110%, even when I didn't trust myself. It was very rewarding. I couldn't be more grateful for the time we spent together.” I took the opportunity (at Virginia Tech), and I'm so grateful that I did that because now I've stuck with him for life.'' Amoor said after losing in the second round.
“This is my second father, seriously. … I'm worried that we're the same person. I'm a 23-year-old woman and I think I look a little too much like him. I think…that's what makes me American.''
Amoore, now at the University of Kentucky, is looking to help Brooks rebuild a Wildcats program that went 12-20 last season. But she will first aim to make the Australian Olympic team for this summer's Paris Olympics, as she was one of 26 athletes invited to Australia's Olympic training camp on March 27.
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Georgia Amoore stats
Amoor is completing his first year of career this year as a senior at Virginia Tech. The 5-foot-6 guard shot a career-best 41.2 percent from the floor and averaged career-highs in points and assists at 18.8 points and 6.8 points per game, respectively.
Below is a year-by-year breakdown of Amoore's stats during his four years at Virginia Tech.
- Career: 1,853 total points, 656 total assists, 330 total rebounds, 14.7 points per game, 5.2 assists per game, 2.6 rebounds per game, 39.6% field goal percentage, 36.1% field goal percentage
- 2023-24: 602 total points, 218 total assists, 84 total rebounds, 18.8 points per game, 6.8 assists per game, 2.6 rebounds per game, 41.2% from the field, 33.5% from beyond.
- 2022-23: 588 total points, 178 total assists, 107 total rebounds, 16.3 points per game, 4.9 assists per game, 3.0 rebounds per game, 37.9% from the field, 34.5% from outside the basket.
- 2021-22: 368 total points, 145 total assists, 79 total rebounds, 11.2 points per game, 4.4 assists per game, 2.4 rebounds per game, 40.3% from the field, 40% from outside the basket.
- 2020-21: 295 total points, 115 total assists, 60 total rebounds, 11.8 points per game, 4.6 assists per game, 2.4 rebounds per game, 38.9% from the field, 39.6% shooting from beyond the arc.
