Ajae Petty, Eniya Russell Enjoying ‘Reunion’ at Kentucky

One of many best benefits in faculty sports activities is figuring out your teammates. That benefit might be enhanced if gamers have identified one another for a very long time.

For Kentucky ladies’s basketball junior transfers Eniya Russell and Ajae Petty, the power to foretell the opposite’s transfer is one which comes simply as simply to them as dominating the court docket.

The pair of Baltimore natives first met whereas taking part in on their center faculty basketball staff. They performed a number of seasons collectively till they have been separated by highschool transfers and faculty commitments, solely to be lastly reunited as teammates this season on the College of Kentucky. The transfer to the Bluegrass is understanding nicely for each gamers.

“Residing with Eniya has made this switch quite a bit smoother for me, particularly with having somebody to narrate to,” Petty mentioned.

This duo joined the staff with a secret weapon – figuring out what to anticipate from each other always.

“I do know when she desires the ball and the place she desires it,” Russell mentioned. “I do know what she’s able to. We’ve been taking part in collectively for therefore lengthy, I simply know her sport.”

The bond between the 2 gamers, each on and off the court docket, is obvious. In a aggressive surroundings like collegiate sports activities, generally the sport might be extra psychological than bodily.

“A pair days in the past, I used to be feeling fairly down with the place I used to be at and (Eniya) texted me to verify in and assist me get out of my head,” Petty mentioned.

Russell agrees along with her teammate.

“Typically we get a bit off observe, however (Ajae) at all times tells me to repair my mindset and be optimistic,” Russell added.

One of many greatest issues that drew the duo to UK was the positivity they noticed from the coaches throughout their visits to Lexington. Since assembly their teammates, they’ve seen that very same positivity is unfold all through this system.

“(Adebola Adeyeye) is a extremely supportive teammate,” Petty mentioned. “I look to her like an older sister as a result of she’s very sensible and is a superb chief to us,” Petty mentioned. “Jada (Walker) and Robyn (Benton) are additionally very supportive. Lots of people carry assist in quite a lot of other ways.”

These long-time members of the SEC (having transferred from LSU and South Carolina) have one piece of recommendation for different gamers: be sure you’re bettering as an individual off the court docket in addition to on.

“Persons are out to get any staff, lots of people wish to win, so in follow I attempt to get one % higher each day,” Russell mentioned. “Holding your self accountable, serving to your teammates, giving our freshmen teammates a shoulder to lean on. All of them play an element in bettering as a participant and as an individual.”

Russell and Petty are a duo that works nicely collectively and with the remainder of the staff. With their expertise, talent, and supportive perspective, the pair’s finest instances with the Wildcats are nonetheless forward of them.