Kenny Brooks says 'there is optimism' regarding Teonni Key's recovery process

When Teonni Key went down with a dislocated right elbow against Missouri on Jan. 4, it was immediately clear that she would be out for multiple weeks at minimum, and it was also clear that Kentucky had just taken a massive blow. It turns out massive was somehow an understatement.

Since then, Kentucky has lost four of its last six games, including three straight at Mississippi State, at No. 17 Tennessee and at home Georgia team that has been on the verge of being in the AP top 25 for the last several weeks.

In 14 games of action, Key is averaging 11 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Those aren’t out-of-this-world-type numbers, but her 6-foot-5 frame and athleticism make her difficult to score on, and against a team like Tennessee, her ability to handle the ball and get out in transition could have changed the outcome of that game.

That’s why Kenny Brooks‘ comments on Saturday should be encouraging to Big Blue Nation. We’ve all eagerly awaited Key’s return to the hardwood, and that day may not be so distant.

On the Kentucky-Georgia pregame show with UK Sports Network’s Darren Headrick, Brooks said that if the Georgia game didn’t get moved back to Saturday and was instead played on Sunday as originally scheduled, then Key could have potentially suited up.

“If we would have played this game tomorrow, there was a possibility,” Brooks told Headrick. “No guarantees, obviously. We were hoping to get her some practice time yesterday.”

Following the 72-67 loss to the Lady Bulldogs, Brooks followed those comments up with more of his thoughts on Key’s recovery process.

“Yeah, we are [optimistic about Teonni Key], and obviously, there’s so much optimism surrounding it compared to what I saw when she went down,” Brooks explained. The day when I went down there and saw her, it’s like half her body was going one way and half of the other. That’s an exaggeration, but that’s just what it looked like, and you think of the worst.

“Her situation, she avoided surgery, she didn’t need surgery, and she’s been coming back,” the Kentucky head coach added. “She’s been doing some drills and shooting and stuff like that. So, we’re obviously going to take it as slow as possible to make sure that she’s there for the long haul. But there is optimism, especially considering where we were three weeks ago from the day tomorrow.”

More Kentucky News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel

Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.