Kenny Brooks and the Kentucky Wildcats have officially added a major international talent to their roster, announcing on Wednesday that Slovenian guard Ajša Sivka has signed with the program. The move marks another significant step in Kentucky’s ongoing effort to strengthen its squad with experienced, globally tested players as it prepares for the upcoming season.
At this time, the university has not yet confirmed how many years of eligibility the 20-year-old Sivka will have under NCAA rules. That detail remains pending, but her arrival is already being viewed as an important addition given her resume, versatility, and professional and international experience at a young age.
In a statement released by the program, head coach Kenny Brooks expressed clear enthusiasm about bringing Sivka into the system. He highlighted her physical tools and skill set, especially her ability to contribute in multiple ways on offense. Brooks emphasized that her size and versatility make her a natural fit for the way Kentucky plays, and he also pointed to her shooting ability, scoring instincts, and passing vision as traits that will translate well to the college game.
Brooks noted that Sivka is not just a scorer but a well-rounded perimeter player who can both create shots for herself and set up teammates. He described her as someone who adds not only talent but also maturity and international experience to the roster. The coach’s message also carried a tone of excitement toward the fan base, encouraging the Kentucky community—often referred to as the BBN (Big Blue Nation)—to welcome her into the program’s extended basketball family.
Sivka, who stands 6-foot-4, brings unusual size for a guard, which immediately gives Kentucky a unique weapon on the perimeter. Hailing from Slovenia, she has already built a résumé that spans several of Europe’s top women’s basketball leagues as well as major international competitions. Her background reflects a steady climb through elite levels of competition, developing her game against professional opponents long before entering the NCAA environment.
Her draft status also underscores her talent. Sivka was selected 10th overall in the 2025 Chicago Sky selection process, a clear sign that she is viewed as a future professional-level contributor in women’s basketball. Despite being drafted, she chose to continue her development in Europe for a time, prioritizing international competition and national team responsibilities before transitioning fully into her next stage of basketball.
One of those commitments included representing Slovenia in the 2025 FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Championship 2025. Competing against some of the strongest national teams in Europe, Sivka delivered steady production in limited appearances. Over the course of three games in that tournament, she averaged 7.7 points per game while shooting an efficient 50 percent from the field. She also contributed 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game, showing her ability to contribute beyond scoring.
One of her standout performances came against Italy, where she displayed her offensive efficiency and perimeter shooting. In that matchup, she scored 16 points while missing just one shot from the field, finishing 4-of-5 overall. Even more impressive was her perfect shooting from beyond the arc, hitting all four of her three-point attempts. In addition to her scoring output, she added two rebounds and one assist, demonstrating her all-around involvement in the game.
Sivka’s international résumé extends beyond senior national team competition. In 2023, she was recognized on a major stage in youth international basketball, earning Most Valuable Player honors at the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship 2023. In that same tournament, she was also selected to the All-Star Five Team, an honor reserved for the best performers across all participating nations. Those accolades signaled early on that she was one of the standout young prospects in European women’s basketball.
Her development has also been shaped by extensive experience in top-tier European club leagues. Last season, Sivka played for Joventut Badalona in Spain’s Liga Femenina de Baloncesto, widely regarded as one of the strongest domestic women’s leagues in Europe. In 29 games with the Spanish club, she averaged 8.4 points per game, shooting 40.2 percent from the field. Alongside her scoring, she contributed 3.6 rebounds and one assist per contest, reflecting a balanced role within the team’s system.
Before her time in Spain, Sivka also competed in France’s top women’s league, the Ligue Féminine de Basketball, playing for Tarbes Gespe Bigorre during the 2024–25 season. The French league is known for its physicality and high level of tactical play, giving her additional experience against strong professional competition. That stint helped further refine her decision-making, defensive awareness, and ability to adapt to different playing styles.
Even earlier in her career, Sivka played in Italy’s premier women’s basketball league, the Lega Basket Femminile, where she suited up for Beretta Famila Schio during the 2023–24 season. Competing in Italy gave her exposure to another highly competitive environment, rounding out her experience across multiple European basketball systems. Each stop contributed to her growth as a versatile perimeter player capable of adjusting to different roles and expectations.
Beyond professional and club basketball, Sivka has also been recognized on international showcase stages. She was selected for the World Select Team at the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit, an event that brings together some of the top young prospects from around the globe. Participation in that event further highlighted her standing as one of the most promising international players in her age group.
Now joining Kentucky, Sivka enters a program that has been actively reshaping its roster with an eye toward both immediate competitiveness and sustained success. Under Brooks, the Wildcats have prioritized adding experienced players who can contribute right away while also helping the team compete at a high level in postseason play.
With Sivka’s arrival, Kentucky has added a player with a rare combination of height, perimeter skill, and international experience. Her ability to shoot from distance, handle the ball, and create scoring opportunities makes her a flexible piece in the Wildcats’ rotation. At 6-foot-4, she also presents matchup challenges for opposing defenses, particularly in perimeter situations where her size can be leveraged against smaller guards.
The addition is also part of a broader offseason effort by Kentucky to retool its roster and maintain momentum after a strong previous campaign. The program is aiming not only to return to the NCAA Tournament but also to advance further once there, building on recent success and attempting to establish itself as a consistent postseason contender.
Sivka’s presence could be particularly valuable in that context, given her experience in high-pressure international games and professional environments. Players with her background often bring a level of composure and adaptability that can be difficult to develop solely within college competition.
As Kentucky moves closer to the start of the season, attention will likely turn toward how Sivka integrates into the team’s system and how quickly she adjusts to the pace and physicality of NCAA basketball. Her development will be closely watched, both because of her international reputation and because of the expectations that come with being a high-profile addition to the roster.
For now, her signing represents another notable piece in Kentucky’s offseason puzzle. With Kenny Brooks leading the program and a roster that continues to evolve, the Wildcats are positioning themselves for what they hope will be another competitive and successful campaign in the seasons ahead.
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