As Arizona’s first transfer, Burke wins the Horizon League Player of the Year award.

In a season defined by personal transformation and program-defining achievement, former Arizona Wildcat and current Wright State star Kennedy Burke has officially been named the Horizon League Player of the Year. The announcement, which arrived just ahead of the league’s tournament semifinals, is a crowning moment in a year of breakout success for both Burke and the Wright State women’s basketball program.

Burke, who transferred from Arizona after her sophomore season, made immediate waves upon her arrival in Dayton. But few could have predicted just how impactful she would be in such a short amount of time. After all, transferring out of a Power Five program comes with expectations—and risks. For Burke, though, the move wasn’t about prestige. It was about fit. And judging by the league’s top individual honor now sitting on her shelf, the decision to trade the desert for the Midwest proved to be the defining pivot point of her career.

From Tucson to Transformation

Kennedy Burke’s journey began in Tucson, where she arrived as part of a highly touted recruiting class at Arizona. A dynamic combo guard with a long wingspan, elite basketball IQ, and a relentless motor, Burke was expected to be a foundational piece for the Wildcats under head coach Adia Barnes. In flashes, she was exactly that—averaging solid minutes and playing a crucial defensive role. But as Arizona’s roster continued to grow in depth, Burke’s offensive role shrank, and so did her on-court confidence.

The decision to transfer wasn’t an easy one. “Leaving Arizona meant leaving teammates who had become family,” Burke said in a March interview. “But I knew I needed an opportunity to be a more complete player. I needed a place where I could grow—where I could lead.”

She found that opportunity at Wright State.

“I knew the minute I met Coach [Kari] Hoffman that this was the right spot,” Burke continued. “She believed in me before I had even proven anything on this level.”

A Horizon League Star Is Born

Burke wasted no time establishing herself in the Horizon League. From the opening tip of the season, she led Wright State in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. Her versatility was unmatched. Whether it was driving to the rim, locking down the opponent’s best perimeter threat, or delivering a no-look dime on the break, Burke made it clear that she was not just one of the best players on her team—but one of the best in the entire conference.

Over 30 games this season, Burke averaged 20.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. She shot 47% from the field, 37% from beyond the arc, and an impressive 85% from the free-throw line.

“She’s a stat-stuffer, but it’s not just about numbers with Kennedy,” said Coach Hoffman. “She’s the engine of everything we do. She elevates everyone around her. And she’s become a mentor to our younger players.”

Indeed, Wright State’s rise this year mirrored Burke’s. After finishing in the bottom half of the Horizon League standings last season, the Raiders surged to a 22-8 record this year, earning the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. At the center of that rise? A transfer from Arizona who had something to prove.

A Message to Power Five Transfers: There Is Life After the Spotlight

Burke’s story has resonated throughout the women’s college basketball community, especially in an era where the NCAA transfer portal has reshaped the landscape. The power has shifted back to the players—and Burke is emblematic of that new reality.

“It’s easy to think leaving a big-name school is a step backward,” Burke said during the Horizon League media day. “But for me, it was the step I needed to take control of my future.”

Burke has become something of a cult hero among mid-major programs. She’s also drawn attention from WNBA scouts who now see her as a legitimate second-round pick in the upcoming draft. Her rise could open the door for more athletes to consider mid-major programs as viable destinations for high-level development and exposure.

“She’s the proof that you don’t need ESPN cameras on you every game to get noticed,” Hoffman said. “Kennedy made herself undeniable.”

Leadership That Transcends the Box Score

What truly separates Burke, teammates say, is her approach behind the scenes. In practices, she’s the first one in and the last one to leave. In team meetings, her voice carries the most weight. During film sessions, she’s as locked in as a coach.

“She’s taught us how to be professionals in everything we do,” said freshman forward Aaliyah Greene. “Watching her operate every day has changed how I think about the game.”

Burke has embraced her role as a mentor, fully aware of how her journey might inspire others. She’s spoken to Wright State’s incoming recruits, urging them to “write their own story, not someone else’s.” She’s even visited local high schools, talking to young athletes about resilience, self-belief, and the value of choosing fit over flash.

A Legacy Already Etched in Wright State Lore

With postseason play just getting underway, Burke’s job isn’t done. She wants to lead Wright State to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in four years. And if her regular-season performances are any indication, that goal is well within reach.

But even if Wright State doesn’t cut down the nets in the Horizon League Tournament, Burke’s legacy is secure.

“She’s changed the trajectory of this program,” said Hoffman. “Years from now, people will point to her as the moment everything turned.”

Wright State Athletic Director Bob Grant echoed that sentiment: “Kennedy represents everything that’s right about college athletics. She’s talented, yes. But she’s also selfless, accountable, and driven by values that elevate everyone around her. She’ll be remembered here long after her playing days.”

WNBA Interest on the Rise

Burke’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed by the professional ranks. Multiple WNBA scouts have reportedly been in attendance for Wright State games over the past month. One scout, speaking anonymously, compared Burke’s two-way versatility to that of Kahleah Copper, praising her defensive instincts and ability to create her own shot.

“She’s a sleeper in this class,” the scout said. “Her numbers and tape speak for themselves. What’s more, she has that maturity and presence teams love.”

A strong showing in the conference tournament or a potential NCAA bid could be the final push Burke needs to lock in her professional future.

But true to form, she remains grounded.

“I’m focused on winning games for my team right now,” Burke said. “If the W comes later, that’s a blessing. But my mind is right here—in the locker room, on the floor, with my sisters.”

The Face of a New Era

As the Horizon League celebrates its top individual performer, the wider college basketball world should take notice: Kennedy Burke is not an outlier—she’s a sign of things to come.

In an NCAA landscape that’s rapidly evolving—with NIL, increased parity, and expanded transfer freedom—Burke’s story reflects a truth that will soon become more common: Great players can rise from anywhere. Success isn’t limited to the bluebloods. And sometimes, stepping out of the spotlight is exactly what a star needs to shine brighter.

From Tucson to Dayton, from the bench to the ballot box of Horizon League voters, Kennedy Burke has authored one of the most compelling narratives in college basketball this season. She is, unquestionably, the Player of the Year—and more importantly, a player whose journey reminds us that the path to greatness is rarely linear, but always worth it.