Emma King poised to contribute in senior season

When Kentucky struggled due to injuries and suspensions last season, one player helped save the team’s season: Emma King.

King entered her junior season as anything but royalty. The 5-foot-10 guard averaged just eight minutes per game during her first two seasons as a Wildcat. Heading into her junior campaign, hopes were high for King. She started the first game of the season and played 15 minutes.

Emma King’s path to the throne

Unfortunately, King went scoreless on opening day and was removed from the starting lineup. King continued to have subpar performances and Kentucky as a team followed suit. Dre’una Edwards was suspended due to disciplinary reasons, Robyn Benton suffered an ankle injury and Jazmine Massengill had a concussion.

Then, King stepped into the spotlight. Over a four-game span, King averaged 7.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Head coach Kyra Elzy took notice, giving King 26.5 minutes per contest during the impressive stretch. King’s hot hand reached a pinnacle against Auburn when she dropped a season-high 10 points and helped end Kentucky’s three-game losing streak.

Elzy was extremely complimentary of King after the win.

“I’m so proud of Emma. She stepped up and made some big shots for us today down the stretch when we had to have them,” Elzy said. “She is the epitome of what I want a Kentucky Wildcat to be.”

Where the Kentucky native can improve

Although King’s work ethic may be unmatched, she still has a lot to work on. Despite being known as a great practice shooter, King could not buy a basket from deep last season. The Stanford, KY native shot 3-32 (9%) from beyond the arc.

If King wants to contribute as an undersized guard, she has to improve her 3-point shooting. Moreover, King has to decrease her turnovers. As someone fighting for minutes, each mistake holds a lot of gravity. King’s 29 turnovers last season pulled the budding star back to Earth.

Nonetheless, King did finish the season with a narrowly positive assist-to-turnover ratio. In the end, King’s improvements won’t matter unless she can replicate them. She has struggled with consistency. The veteran guard went scoreless in 12 different contests last season despite getting on the court.

King’s role for next season

Obviously, King isn’t going to be the star of the team this upcoming season. Yet, she could be an excellent weapon in Elzy’s back pocket. Luckily for King, she knows precisely what Elzy expects from her.

“I told [King], ‘Your work ethic is unbelievable but we need to see that transfer to games. You have to be able to produce and I need you to be my hustle player on the floor,‘” Elzy said on Jan. 25.

Heading into her senior season, there’s never been a better time for King to become a major contributor to the ‘Cats. Perhaps King has saved her best for last.