When Kenny Brooks left Virginia Tech last March for Kentucky, Wildcat Nation was excited for the future and why not? His history in Blacksburg gave the Wildcats' fans hope that he was going to come in and turn things around. That's what he did in Year 1 in Lexington.
It helped that Brooks had Georgia Amoore follow him from Virginia Tech, as well as Clara Strack. He also hit the transfer portal like every other coach does this time of the year, and they ended up hosting the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament last weekend. They had their season end in overtime at the hands of Kansas State on Sunday afternoon.
This week, some players entered the portal for Kentucky, including Clara Silva, a freshman who originally committed to Virginia Tech in the summer of 2023 while Brooks was still there. On Saturday, Cassidy Rowe, who committed under former coach Matthew Mitchell and didn't want to play anywhere else, posted that she was not coming back for her final year of eligibility, and the reported reason why upset the Kentucky fanbase.
Kenny Brooks upsets Kentucky fanbase with decision on Cassidy Rowe's future
Rowe, a point guard, posted on her Instagram account that she would not be using her final season of eligibility and would pursue a career in physical therapy. Phoenix Stevens on On3 reported that Rowe was asked to transfer and that she bleeds blue and would never be anything other than a Wildcat. Therefore, her college career ends with a year left of eligibility. It didn't sit well with Kentucky fans, to say the least.
Every team in the country should have a spot for a Cassidy Rowe! Including @KentuckyWBB . So disappointed to not have her a spot for her Senior season. Shameful.
— Mike Bear Rogers (@ukbear03) March 29, 2025
Makes me not feel the same toward him. You can’t expect loyalty, when you don’t give it! He doesn’t get Ky kids and our programs! Not a fan at all of him now!
— kimberly staley (@kimberlystaley3) March 30, 2025
I’m a big Kenny Brooks fan, but if he really asked Cassidy Rowe to leave for her senior year, that’s a bad bad look in my opinion. Especially being a Kentucky kid.
— Earl (@Earl_JHickey) March 29, 2025
If she was just a freshman, it wouldn’t be great, but be easier to digest. She clearly wanted to finish her career
If the story is true that Cassidy Rowe was asked to leave the women’s bball program, that is an incredibly bad look for Coach Brooks. Have a hard time believing he’s that naive about UK fans tolerating that with in state players.
— Betty Grey (@bettygeezy) March 29, 2025
Always cheered extra hard for Cassidy Rowe because she’s from my neck of the woods, & I know her parents. Played softball at Pikeville College with her mama, Susan. If Kenny Brooks asked Cass to transfer her SENIOR year, I’m done with him!🤬Messed with the wrong fans! #BBN https://t.co/JlROYJkUCP
— Heather Bartley (@KYgal_Heather) March 30, 2025
I really hope what I just heard about Cassidy Rowe isn’t true. It would be bad optics by Kenny Brooks.
— ChrisInKY 🐾8X🏆🏀🏈 (@DaleFan15) March 30, 2025
During his preseason media availability, Brooks said about Rowe, "Some of them were already in the portal. And Cassidy, when she started talking about her experiences here, I swore when she started crying, it was blue tears… And I’m asking her why. And you know, she stuttered and stammered a little bit. And that was enough for me.”
Things change up really quickly.
— Casey (@BleedBlueCasey) March 30, 2025
Kenny Brooks turned this program around massively in year one, but this entire situation isn’t great.
pic.twitter.com/haALr071yd
What changed? 🤷🏽♂️ #BBN pic.twitter.com/qbOSCj54cG
— Buddy 🏀😼 (@BigBlueBud) March 30, 2025
This would clear the Kentucky roster of nearly everyone who was a holdover from the previous coaching staff, but having it done this way is not something that Wildcats fans envisioned. It will be an interesting time in Lexington regarding roster-building for the 2025-26 season. Virginia Tech fans might not be surprised at how things went down.