Choosing the Kentucky Women’s Basketball All-Quarter Century Team: The Top Wildcats to Wear Blue Since the Year 2000

Since the dawn of the new millennium, Kentucky women’s basketball has evolved from a mid-tier SEC program to a national contender with a strong legacy of talent, resilience, and electric moments. Choosing an All-Quarter Century Team for the Wildcats means looking back at 25 years of fierce competitors who left unforgettable marks on the program. From All-Americans to fan favorites and trailblazers to shot-makers, this is a celebration of the best to wear the blue and white since 2000.

To build a team worthy of being called the best of the last 25 years, we focused on talent, accolades, impact on the program, leadership, and clutch performances. Whether they dominated in the paint, carved up defenses with quickness, or rewrote the record books, these Wildcats represent the pinnacle of Kentucky women’s hoops.

Let’s start with the obvious: Rhyne Howard. If you’re creating a UK women’s basketball Mount Rushmore, Howard’s name gets chiseled in first. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft and a three-time All-American, Howard was a generational scorer who could defend every position. Her combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ made her one of the most complete players in college basketball during her time in Lexington. Howard sits among the program’s top scorers and was the heart and soul of the team from the moment she stepped on campus. Her leadership during UK’s magical SEC Tournament championship run in 2022 — including the stunning upset of South Carolina — is still fresh in the minds of Big Blue Nation.

Right behind Howard in historical significance is Victoria Dunlap, the versatile forward who brought Kentucky back to relevance in the late 2000s. Dunlap was a two-time SEC Player of the Year (2010, 2011) and a ferocious competitor who could score, rebound, and lock down defensively. She helped transform the team from an SEC afterthought to a Sweet 16 contender. Dunlap’s intensity was contagious and she remains one of the most complete forwards to suit up in Lexington.

Joining Dunlap in the frontcourt would be Evelyn Akhator, the Nigerian-born powerhouse who was part of the class that signaled UK’s recruiting rise under Matthew Mitchell. Akhator’s relentless energy, rebounding, and inside scoring powered Kentucky during her two seasons, earning her All-SEC honors both years. She also represented the Wildcats at the 2016 Olympics with the Nigerian national team. Akhator was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft, underscoring her dominance during her time at UK.

The backcourt deserves as much attention, and when we talk guards, A’dia Mathies absolutely earns her place on this team. The Louisville native was a homegrown star who became a two-time SEC Player of the Year and finished her career second on the program’s all-time scoring list. Mathies was fearless — the kind of guard who demanded the ball in crunch time and often delivered. She was the face of the program in the early 2010s and remains one of the most respected players to ever wear the uniform.

Makayla Epps, daughter of former UK men’s standout Anthony Epps, carried that same legacy with pride and flair. She was the heart of the team during her run from 2013–2017, known for her scoring instincts, emotion, and big-game performances. Epps ranks in the program’s top 10 in points and assists, and her court vision made everyone around her better. If you needed a bucket or a moment of leadership, she was the one you turned to.

No All-Quarter Century Team would be complete without Jennifer O’Neill, the hero of one of the most iconic moments in program history. O’Neill’s 43-point performance in the triple-overtime win over No. 1 Baylor in 2013 is still regarded as the greatest individual performance in Memorial Coliseum history. Beyond that one game, she was a steady, high-scoring guard who helped lead UK to multiple Sweet 16s. O’Neill could take over games when needed and was always a threat from deep.

Toss in Keyla Snowden for her sharpshooting and fearless defense, and you’ve got one of the deepest backcourts in program history. Snowden often came off the bench but provided the kind of microwave scoring that could swing games. Her clutch play and defensive awareness gave UK a needed spark during their SEC Tournament runs.

In rounding out this mythical roster, we can’t ignore the impact of post presence DeNesha Stallworth. Transferring from Cal, Stallworth gave the Wildcats an edge in the paint with her scoring and rebounding. She helped balance out a perimeter-heavy squad and was a consistent force in the middle. Her ability to stretch the floor and finish through contact added a new dimension to Kentucky’s offense.

And how about someone like Linnae Harper, whose short stay at UK left a lasting impression? The scrappy guard was an elite rebounder for her size and brought a relentless motor on both ends of the court. Though she eventually transferred, Harper’s toughness and effort in her time with the Cats earns her an honorable mention.

We should also recognize Keke McKinney, one of the best defenders the program has seen. A shot-blocking machine and vocal leader, McKinney anchored the paint defensively while helping Howard lead the team in the late 2010s. Her ability to switch onto guards, block shots, and rebound at a high level made her a key part of UK’s defensive identity.

On the coaching side, no discussion is complete without saluting Matthew Mitchell, who guided Kentucky to unprecedented heights. His 10-year tenure brought multiple Sweet 16 appearances, top-10 national rankings, and a level of consistency that had long eluded the program. Mitchell helped turn Kentucky into a recruiting destination and led with charisma and passion.

Kyra Elzy, who took over the program in 2020, deserves praise too for steadying the ship in uncertain times and guiding the team to an SEC Tournament title in 2022. Her leadership during that stretch — especially amid injuries and roster turnover — proved she has the tools to continue building on Mitchell’s foundation.

In terms of legacy, it’s not just about individual statistics or awards. It’s also about impact — how these players helped define the program, connect with the fanbase, and set the stage for future success. This All-Quarter Century Team honors those who raised the bar and wore the jersey with pride. From buzzer-beaters to tournament runs, they’ve each contributed to what makes Kentucky women’s basketball special.

If we were to picture this team on the court, it would be a dream mix of size, speed, and skill. Rhyne Howard and A’dia Mathies could interchange as primary scorers. Victoria Dunlap and Evelyn Akhator would dominate the paint with athleticism and power. Makayla Epps and Jennifer O’Neill could run the show while hitting big shots. Defensively, with Keke McKinney and Dunlap, opposing offenses would find no easy paths. And with a deep bench of Harper, Snowden, and Stallworth, there would be no drop-off.

As the Wildcats look toward the next chapter of their program, from new recruits to future stars, they’ll do so standing on the shoulders of these giants. The foundation is strong, the legacy deep, and the memories lasting. These are the players who brought energy to Memorial Coliseum and built the brand that now resonates across the SEC and the country.

So here’s to the top Cats since 2000 — the icons, the leaders, the legends. They didn’t just play the game; they helped change it for Kentucky women’s basketball. And for that, they’ll always be remembered in Wildcat lore.