Ajša Sivka officially cleared by NCAA to play for Kentucky WBB

Ajša Sivka is officially cleared to play for Kentucky women’s basketball — and the Wildcats could have her in Lexington for a while.

At the Wildcat Tipoff Luncheon in Louisville on Monday, Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks revealed that Sivka, a Slovenian native who has been playing overseas, was recently cleared by the NCAA. That’s important news. But arguably just as important is her grade classification.

Brooks added that Sivka has been granted four years of college eligibility.

“We just got information the other day; she got cleared because she didn’t put her name in the draft,” Brooks said. “…Our compliance office is absolutely wonderful. We dotted some I’s and crossed some T’s. And we thought we would have her for a year or two. And we got word the other day that we got her for four years.”

Sivka’s college eligibility status never appeared to be in doubt, but having confirmation with the 2026-27 season right around the corner is always good news.

The idea of Sivka playing four years at Kentucky should excite the Big Blue Nation. A 6-foot-5 guard, she was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. But since her name was automatically entered into the draft as an international prospect, she was able to turn down that opportunity to return home before ultimately landing at Kentucky.

Will Sivka last four years in college? The Sky still own her draft rights if/when she elects to make the jump to the WNBA. That could be as soon as next offseason if she chooses, but the option to spend several years at Kentucky is on the table. She turns 21 years old in November and expects to be one of the team’s better players this season.

Sivka has already competed at the highest professional level in Spain (Liga Femenina de Baloncesto), France (Ligue Féminine de Basketball), and Italy (Lega Basket Femminile). She’s represented the National Slovenia Team five different times. At the youth level for Slovenia, she was named MVP of the 2023 FIBA U18 Women’s European Basketball Championship. At the 2025 FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket, Sivka averaged 15.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on shooting splits of 49.4/38.3/84.6 across seven games played.

In short: Sivka is talented and proven. Will that translate over to the college level? That’s the hope for Brooks and Co. 6-foot-5 guards who can pass, dribble, and shoot don’t come around often in the women’s game. We’ll finally get to see her in action for the season-opener against Morehead State on Nov. 2.