‘This will always be home.’ Kentucky basketball legend Rhyne Howard returns to Lexington.

The only University of Kentucky women’s basketball player to ever be selected first overall in the WNBA Draft. The first Atlanta Dream rookie to be named a WNBA All-Star. The 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year.

Rhyne Howard’s list of accomplishments has been substantial since she last set foot in Memorial Coliseum in Lexington.

On Thursday night, the UK legend returned to her former home to watch the Wildcats take on Alabama.

“It’s great to be back.” Howard said. “I’ve been welcomed by a lot of smiles and a lot of hugs. As soon as I walked in, it brought back a whole bunch of memories. And I’m forever grateful for that.”

During her breakout rookie season with the Atlanta Dream, Howard averaged 31.4 minutes per game while contributing 16.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 steals as her team finished 14-22 in 2022.

“You’re playing against grown women.” Howard said. “In college, you’re playing against people the same age, same size as you. You get to (the WNBA), it’s a whole different league. We have mothers in the game, we have people who just dedicate their lives to the game. There’s no more school, no more tutors, none of that. You have to really mature quick.”

The Cleveland, Tenn., native also spent her first professional offseason overseas with Schio (Italy), where she averaged double figures in scoring. She returned from Italy on Sunday, and spent a few days in Atlanta prior to returning to Lexington.

“It’s really isolated over there,” Howard said of her experience overseas. “You’re going to a whole new country by yourself, but, luckily I do have another American on my team in Marina Mabrey (of the Dallas Wings). A lot of times, you don’t get that. But it’s a good experience for me, and my team’s pretty cool. I love it, and Italy’s not a bad place to be at, either.”

Despite her busy offseason, and the six-hour time difference while she was overseas, Howard does her best to keep up with the Wildcats.

“I do talk to (Coach Kyra) Elzy quite a bit,” Howard said. “And some of the team, some of the returners a little bit. Just to see what’s going on, how they’re doing, how they’re feeling, if I can help in any way. Talk to Elzy if I can help. Giving her tips as if I’m a coach, too. Being able to have that connection and reach out to them.”

During her time with the Wildcats, Howard was a three-time Associated Press All-America First Team selection (2020, 2021, 2022), and helped lead Kentucky to its second-ever SEC Tournament title in 2022, and first since 1982.

As a senior at UK, Howard averaged 20.5 points and 7.4 rebounds over the course of 31 games, during which she averaged 35.2 minutes per game. Even now, she carries with her lessons taught by Elzy.

“Everything that she does is to get her players to the next level,” Howard said. “Anything she taught me just meant give 100 percent all of the time and never settle. That has definitely stuck with me.”

Elzy was pleased to have Howard back at Memorial.

“Great to have Rhyne home,” Elzy said following the game. One of the greats that played at Kentucky. The love and support that she has for this program is amazing. She watches all the games, she sends texts to me, the staff nonstop, she has a pride for this program. She loves this program and that’s always good. This will always be home.”

At halftime Thursday night, Howard was awarded the Power of Women Ball, and also received her SEC Tournament championship ring from last season. While she’s proud of what the ring means, she’s most excited about receiving the Power of Women Ball.

“Over my collegiate career, we’ve been doing Power of Women,” Howard explained. “Just to meet those women and see how they’ve impacted the world, it’s great to be a part of that company. I wouldn’t say I’m on that exact level of them at impacting people, but it is great to see the examples that they’ve set and try to follow them.”