In May 2024, former Muldrow Lady Bulldogs basketball player Kennedi “Kiki” Wight signed a letter of intent with the University of the Ozarks after suffering a season-ending knee injury during her senior basketball season in December 2023 in a home game against Sallisaw.
Wight has not played a game of basketball, until Saturday when she played in an exhibition game at Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, Ark., in a game in which she scored 10 points in a 99-60 loss.
The former Muldrow Lady Bulldog was glad to return to the hardwood, although there were still fears to have to face and get through.
“I actually am extremely excited,” Wight said. “I know it’s something my parents (Montea and Brooke Wight) have probably been waiting for for a very long time. I’m excited they will be able to watch me again. Coming back from injury though, I am extremely nervous because I know my (knee) injury has a high retear rate,so I’m very nervous. The fact that it’s my first collegiate basketball game also makes me a little bit nervous, but I am also very excited.”
Wight, while a sophomore academically, will be a red-shirt freshman athletically for the Eagles, and is ready to begin her collegiate career.
“I’m still very nervous but really excited because I know it’s going to be different than high school,” she said. “I really felt like I was really ready to move on after high school, so I’m super excited about seeing how different it’s going to be.”
While she did not get to play during her freshman year of college at Clarksville, Ark., institution, Wight said getting to sit back and take it all in may have been more beneficial for her than actually playing her freshman season.
“Watching from the sideline, I felt like it really helped me a lot,” the former Muldrow Lady Bulldog said. “I got to see how different the pace was. It went a lot faster. It was more physical. Refs didn’t call (fouls) as much. I think it was probably more beneficial for me to actually get to see what it was like before being thrown out there. Hopefully, it will show on the court (this season) after being able to watch it for a whole year.”
As for college life itself, Wight is enjoying every minute of it.
“It has been great,” she said. “I love the school I’m at. I love my coaches, my team. Everything has been just really positive. I wouldn’t change anything.”
Now, the Muldrow product is getting ready to focus on her first-ever season of college basketball, which officially will get underway at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Hanover College in the Rhodes College Classic in Memphis, Tenn.
“I’m looking forward to (the new season),” Wight said. “I’m very excited. I feel like it’s been long awaited for me.”
