We are keeping our fingers crossed in the hope that we can return to a “normal” version of college basketball this fall: fans in the stands, announcers without masks, etc. Nobody knows exactly what is going to happen but we will try to restore some order with season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. We continue our coverage with Kentucky SR G Robyn Benton. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Robyn about transferring to the Wildcats and her expectations for this season.
You began your college career at Auburn, where you were named to the 2019 SEC All-Freshman team: how were you able to come in and contribute right from the start? I came in off of an injury but still had set some goals as a freshman. I was the 6th/7th Man but had a lot of good seniors around me.
Why did you decide to transfer, and what made you choose Kentucky? My time was up at Auburn and I just needed a fresh start. I knew some of the girls at Kentucky and the coaches were really high on me as well so I felt it was the best spot for me.
You got a new head coach last year in Kyra Elzy: what makes her such a good coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from her so far? She is a great motivator and always keeps pumping us up. She taught me to give an outstanding effort and be a good person.
Last January you scored a season-high 15 PTS on your 21st birthday against Alabama: where does that rank among the highlights of your career? It was special: I have not played a lot on my birthday in the past because my games were often the day before or the day after.
In the 2021 NCAA tourney you had 2 REB in a loss to Iowa: what did you learn from that loss that will help you this year? There was a lot going on that day in a different atmosphere than I was used to. I learned that we just have to move on.
Your teammate Rhyne Howard is the 2-time-defending SEC POY: what makes her such a great player? She works really hard and is very funny. She is a great person/player.
You have a brutal 4-week stretch in November/December with a non-conference schedule that includes games against Indiana/West Virginia/DePaul/Louisville: which of these games do you feel will present your biggest test? They are all good programs so we cannot take any of them lightly and have to prepare well for all of them. We will just take it 1 game at a time.
Your brother Inky Johnson played football at Tennessee: who is the best athlete in the family? It is my brother: I am not afraid to say it! Even before he got hurt he was a freak of nature: I am fast but not as fast as him. I rank #2 in the family, and then my younger sister.
You are majoring in journalism: what is the post-graduation plan? I will try to continue playing basketball but if not then I want to work for ESPN. I have not really figured it out yet but we will see.
What are your goals for this season, and what are your expectations for this season? Winning is always the goal. I want to shoot better from the field/3-PT line and hopefully make the all-defensive team as well.