Kentucky natives thrilled to finally sport the blue and white

By Nick Craddock

For two sophomore guards on the UK women’s basketball team, returning to the Bluegrass was almost as easy as tapping the heels of their basketball shoes together three times and saying “There’s no place like home.”

Rebecca Gray, a Georgetown, Ky., native and the 2007 Miss Kentucky Basketball, and Keyla Snowden, a Lexington native and product of Lexington Catholic High School, both played their freshman seasons out of state — Gray at North Carolina, Snowden at Akron. However, a season away from home was one too many for the guards, who missed the support that only family and friends could offer.

Rebecca Gray, a Georgetown, Ky., native, comes to UK after playing one season at UNC. Photo by Scott Hannigan | Staff

After sitting out last season because of NCAA transfer rules, Gray and Snowden are ecstatic to finally see action for their home-state Cats.

“It feels natural, it feels right and normal. That’s what I tell everyone,” said Gray on her switch to the royal blue of UK from the powder blue of UNC.

“It feels great to play in front of my family and friends and everyone who grew up watching me,” said Snowden, whose parents have made it to every game so far.

Gray was recruited by UK while in high school but opted to sign with UNC, which  offered her a scholarship at 15. Gray led the Tar Heels in 3-point shooting percentage as a freshman, but success just wasn’t the same without her close family by her side.

Likewise, Snowden had a successful freshman season at Akron, breaking the school record for most threes made in a season with 91.

Unlike Gray, Snowden wasn’t recruited by UK in high school, but was approached by UK head coach Matthew Mitchell when he was coaching at Morehead State to play for the Lady Eagles.

“I was given the opportunity to come back and I didn’t want to pass it up,” Snowden said.

Gray knew as soon as she left UNC that the only school she would send her transfer release to was UK if Mitchell showed mutual interest, which he did.

The addition of Gray and Snowden gives Mitchell two highly capable long-range shooters in his arsenal, an element that has been in short supply for the Cats in previous seasons.

Michell said the presence and belief that the team has in both Gray’s and Snowden’s abilities to make can make threes relaxes UK’s other shooters, including guards Carly Morrow and Amani Franklin.

Aside from excelling in their long-range shooting, Gray and Snowden longed for the comforts of home during their time away from  Kentucky.

“In Lexington I know my way around for sure,” said Snowden on her favorite part of being home. “I know how to have fun here.”

When Gray sees the success of her former team — the Tar Heels are No. 4 in the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls — her mood still won’t dampen.

“I think programs define their success in different ways and here we’ve already started off 3-0,” Gray said. “If we can build on that, make this a successful year and make it back to the tournament then that’s what I’m here for, and why I came back home.”