2025-26 Kentucky WBB Position Preview: Small Forward

This is the third edition of KSR’s 2025-26 Kentucky Women’s Basketball Position Preview series. In this series, we’ll go through each of the five positions — point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward and center — and we’ll break down what is to be expected at each position heading into this season.

The small forward position is an interesting one for Kentucky, mainly because Kenny Brooks has a lot of pieces he can work with. When you think of the small forward position, the word “wing” comes to mind, right? A player that is usually bigger than your average guard — but not as big as a true forward or center — and typically helps stretch the floor and can defend multiple positions?

Well, Kentucky is loaded with “wings”.

From redshirt senior Jordan Obi to incoming five-star freshman Kaelyn Carroll, there is plenty of talent on this roster that could provide significant minutes at the three. So, who exactly does Brooks start?

At this moment, it seems more than likely that Obi will be the starter at small forward. As we noted earlier this month over on KSBoard, the former three-time All-Ivy star has been very, very impressive in practice this summer, and she may be one of the more underrated players in the SEC heading into this season.

Carroll, who we mentioned a second ago, could also get some run at small forward, but she’d be splitting time with the likes of Lexi Blue, Dominika Paurová and even Amelia Hassett at times most likely. Paurová may end up being the starter at the two, however, and it sounds like Hassett may be playing more power forward this year than small forward, so Blue could end up being one of the main rotational pieces at the three.

Regardless, there’s a lot to be excited about when it comes to the small forward position. Obi is a dark horse All-SEC kind of player, and there’s nothing but potential and lots of upside waiting behind her on the bench.

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