UK's Makenzie Cann to Forgo Senior Season of Basketball

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky senior guard Makenzie Cann (pictured) has elected to forgo her redshirt senior season and graduate this May with a bachelor’s degree in integrated strategic communication with a minor in psychology.

Cann is forgoing her last year of eligibility to pursue a professional career in her desired field or continue her education at an institution that offers more specialized classes in veterinary tech or non-profit management programs.

“Our program will always be built around the full student-athlete experience and although we will miss Makenzie being in our program, I am excited about what her future holds,” UK head coach Matthew Mitchell said. “I know that Makenzie is going to be successful in whatever she does and I cannot thank her enough for all that she has done and the loyalty she has shown our program the past three seasons.”

Said Cann, "I want to thank my teammates, coaches, all the fans and everyone that has made my dream of playing for the University of Kentucky come true. Wearing the Blue and White the past three years has been an honor and although pursuing my future career path shortens my time in the program, I will always be a Wildcat and a part of Big Blue Nation."

Cann, who transferred from Cincinnati in the summer of 2015, sat out the 2015-16 season due to NCAA transfer rules. The last two years she has played in 64 games with 35 starts. Combined, Cann averaged 6.0 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game and hit 87 3-pointers during her time in Lexington. This season, Cann started 31 of her 32 games played, hitting over 35 percent from the field. The native of Lawrenceburg, Ky., scored in double figures eight times with two double-doubles.

Cann was active in the Lexington community during her time on campus. She was named to the Southeastern Conference Community Service Team this season and was a two-year member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

Photo by Jamie H. Vaught