Kentucky transfer Robyn Benton granted immediate eligibility by NCAA

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The No. 11-ranked Kentucky Wildcats just picked up another weapon.

Guard Robyn Benton – who transferred from Auburn in the spring – was granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA on Tuesday, making her available to compete for the Wildcats in the 2020-21 season.

The 5’9 junior guard was an All-Southeastern Conference Freshman Team selection at Auburn before averaging double-digit points as a sophomore for the Tigers. She joins an already stacked Wildcat team headlined by junior guard Rhyne Howard, just named by Southeastern Conference coaches as the Preseason SEC Player of the Year; Maryland transfer Olivia Owens, who was granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA earlier this preseason; and 2019 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year Dre’una Edwards.

Additionally, Kentucky returns a large portion of its production from last season, bringing back its top two, and five of the top seven, scorers from last season, while also returning its top two rebounders and bringing in up-and-coming freshman talent.

“We are so excited for Robyn,” said Kentucky interim head coach Kyra Elzy in a prepared statement. “From the first day she stepped on campus, she has worked hard to improve her game. Robyn is an explosive guard, who can not only score but is an elite defender.

“She is in great shape and playing at an extremely high level. I can’t wait for Big Blue Nation to see her and the rest of the team play next week.”

Elzy was named interim head coach last week after Matthew Mitchell retired after 13 seasons.

Benton transferred to Kentucky after playing 52 career games at Auburn the last two seasons, earning All-SEC Freshman Team honors in 2018-19. As a rookie, she played in 32 games and averaged 5.8 points per game, while going 35-of-94 from long range and 24-of-34 from the free-throw line with 34 steals.

Last season, Benton’s numbers increased despite missing the first nine games of the season with an injury. She played in 20 games with 14 starts, averaging 10.1 points per game with 27 3-pointers, 56 steals, and 28 assists. Her best game came vs. Missouri where she posted a career-high 23 points, hitting three 3s with four steals, and went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Benton also scored 15 points at South Carolina, hitting two 3s with two steals, while she had 17 points against Ole Miss with three treys. In all, Benton scored 10 or more points in 11 games and hit at least one 3-pointer in 16 of her 20 games played.

Benton was a five-star recruit and ranked as the No. 17 overall player nationally by ESPN.com entering college.

The Wildcats begin the 2020-21 season on Wednesday, Nov. 25 vs. Murray State at 1 p.m. ET inside Memorial Coliseum.