# Brooks optimistic about 2026-27 season as Wildcats begin summer workouts **Published:** 2026-07-08T17:31:01.000Z **Source:** [UK Athletics](https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/07/08/kenny-brooks-press-conference/) **AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) **Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/brooks-optimistic-about-2026-27-season-as-wildcats-begin-summer-workouts LEXINGTON, Ky. — [Kentucky women's basketball head coach Kenny Brooks addressed local media this week](https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/07/08/kenny-brooks-press-conference/) as the Wildcats entered the early stages of summer workouts, outlining expectations for the upcoming 2026-27 season during remarks that included appearances from senior players Asia Boone and Clara Strack. [Brooks has described his current squad as a "national championship group"](https://wildcatbluenation.com/kenny-brooks-is-closer-than-ever-to-turning-kentucky-into-a-real-title-contender-01kvs72z8j2n) heading into his third season in Lexington. The coach enters 2026-27 after assembling what [sources consider arguably his most impressive offseason yet](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/watch-kenny-brooks-asia-boone-clara-strack-talk-summer-workouts-2026-27-season/), following a Sweet 16 appearance last season. [Brooks emphasized the importance of three-point shooting as a focal point for the upcoming campaign](https://wildcatbluenation.com/kenny-brooks-is-vying-for-kentucky-to-improve-in-one-crucial-category-this-season-01kx19cevsnh), noting that last year's four WNBA draft selections lacked strength from distance, which often left center Strack double-teamed. [Nearly every player on this roster can take and make outside shots](https://wildcatbluenation.com/kenny-brooks-is-closer-than-ever-to-turning-kentucky-into-a-real-title-contender-01kvs72z8j2n), positioning the Wildcats for a potential breakthrough year. [The offseason additions include guard Ajša Sivka, a Slovenian prospect](https://wildcatbluenation.com/kenny-brooks-lands-a-surprise-commitment-for-kentucky-from-international-guard-01kqywm0r7h7) who was previously drafted by the Chicago Sky in the WNBA. [The squad also features three McDonald's All-Americans among its freshman class](https://wildcatbluenation.com/kenny-brooks-is-closer-than-ever-to-turning-kentucky-into-a-real-title-contender-01kvs72z8j2n) and additional transfer portal acquisitions designed to bolster the backcourt. Brooks has proven adept at navigating the modern college basketball landscape. [The coach was officially offered the Virginia job earlier this offseason but chose to remain in Lexington](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/sources-kenny-brooks-officially-offered-virginia-turned-down-stay-kentucky/), signaling his commitment to the Kentucky program. [Kentucky was ranked No. 9 in one preseason top 25](https://wildcatbluenation.com/kenny-brooks-is-closer-than-ever-to-turning-kentucky-into-a-real-title-contender-01kvs72z8j2n), reflecting high expectations for the upcoming campaign. ## Sources - [UK Athletics](https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/07/08/kenny-brooks-press-conference/) - [Kenny Brooks is closer than ever to turning Kentucky into a real title contender — Wildcat Blue Nation](https://wildcatbluenation.com/kenny-brooks-is-closer-than-ever-to-turning-kentucky-into-a-real-title-contender-01kvs72z8j2n) - [Kenny Brooks is vying for Kentucky to improve in one crucial category this season — Wildcat Blue Nation](https://wildcatbluenation.com/kenny-brooks-is-vying-for-kentucky-to-improve-in-one-crucial-category-this-season-01kx19cevsnh) - [Kenny Brooks lands a surprise commitment for Kentucky from international guard — Wildcat Blue Nation](https://wildcatbluenation.com/kenny-brooks-lands-a-surprise-commitment-for-kentucky-from-international-guard-01kqywm0r7h7) - [WATCH: Kenny Brooks, Asia Boone, and Clara Strack talk summer workouts, 2026-27 season — On3](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/watch-kenny-brooks-asia-boone-clara-strack-talk-summer-workouts-2026-27-season/) - [SOURCES: Kenny Brooks officially offered Virginia, turned down to stay at Kentucky — On3](https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/sources-kenny-brooks-officially-offered-virginia-turned-down-stay-kentucky/) --- This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from UK Athletics, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/07/08/kenny-brooks-press-conference/.