Kentucky forward Keion Brooks Jr. posts encouraging update on his return to court
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Kentucky fans have been closely tracking the status of sophomore forward Keion Brooks Jr., who has not played in the 2020-21 season while recovering from a calf injury he suffered in the fall.
Thursday evening, Brooks posted a brief message on Twitter, and it was the news Wildcats fans were waiting for.
“Grateful to be back on the floor with my brothers,” he tweeted. “Our team doctors have medically cleared me to play.”
I’M BACK😁
Grateful to be back on the floor with my brothers.
Our team doctors have medically cleared me to play. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/UFaR07a0fH
— Keion Brooks Jr. (@KeionB_12) January 7, 2021
Brooks made 6 starts and played in every game as a freshman for the Wildcats, and was expected to take a major step forward in his development this season. But his injury, at first reported as a minor one, has kept him off the floor thus far—until now.
Despite not playing, Brooks has been a positive presence for Kentucky, even as the team looks to shake off an uncharacteristic slow start. It currently sits at 3-6 but is off to a 2-0 start in SEC play with wins over Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.
“Let me just say this, he’s leading this team, and he’s not even playing,” head coach John Calipari said back in December. “And these dudes are listening. Wait till he gets on the court.”
It’s not known how big of a role Brooks will play on Saturday against Florida. But his return is imminent, and that’s great news for the Wildcats.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
