The Kentucky Wildcats women's basketball program just got a massive boost. Head coach Kenny Brooks announced Wednesday that the team has signed Ajša Sivka, a 6-foot-4 guard from Slovenia and a former top-10 WNBA Draft pick. While the school hasn't yet revealed how many years of eligibility the 20-year-old will have, one thing is clear: this is a game-changing addition for a team that's reloading in a big way this offseason.
"I am delighted to welcome Ajša to our program," Brooks said in a press release. "Her combination of size and skill will fit into our system seamlessly. Ajša is a tremendous shooter, scorer, and playmaker from the wing position, and she will add experience to our team. BBN let's welcome Ajša to our family!"
Sivka was selected 10th overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky, but instead of heading stateside, she stayed in Europe to represent Slovenia at the 2025 FIBA Women's European Basketball Championship. That decision speaks volumes about her commitment to her national team—and now, to the Wildcats.
Her international resume is impressive. At last year's EuroBasket Women's Championship, she averaged 7.7 points on 50% shooting, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game across three contests. She really turned heads against Italy, dropping 16 points on a scorching 4-of-5 from the field—including a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the arc—along with two boards and an assist.
Before that, Sivka was named MVP and to the All-Star Five Team at the 2023 FIBA U18 Women's European Basketball Championship. She's also competed at the highest levels of European club basketball, playing for Joventut Badalona in Spain's Liga Feminina de Baloncesto, where she averaged 8.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and one assist in 29 games. Prior to that, she suited up for Tarbes Gespe Bigorre in France's Ligue Féminine de Basketball and started her career with Beretta Famila Schio in Italy's Lega Basket Femminile. To top it off, she was selected for the World Select Team at the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit.
With Sivka now in the fold, Kentucky has done a fantastic job reloading this offseason. The Wildcats are building a roster that's not just NCAA Tournament-worthy, but one that can make some serious noise in March for a second straight season. For fans in Lexington, the excitement is real—and so is the potential.