2023 has been a mixed bag. While there have been individuals who have raised the ceiling, there have been athletes who couldn’t give their best since they fell prey to injuries. With the passing year, these athletes deserve a spotlight since they were ready to give their blood, sweat, and passion for something they believed in.

Though some of the teams have recovered from the loss, others are trying to find different permutations and combinations in their absence.

Azzi Fudd, UConn Huskies

The University of Connecticut Huskies star Azzi Fudd had a season-ending injury during a practice in November. Fudd had just played two games in which she averaged a decent 11 points per match with 2.5 rebounds per contest. This was a major blow to the Huskies’ dream of making their presence felt in the NCAA 2023-24 season since Fudd was second fiddle to their star Paige Bueckers.

As per reports she had an ACL and meniscus tear in the right knee. Notably, this marked the second year that a Huskies’ central player had to miss the season since last time it was Bueckers who had suffered a torn ACL. Nonetheless, the Huskies are going strong in this season and have a 9-3 record. The fans will miss Fudd in crucial games and things would have been more cheerful had Fudd helped them reach the peak this season.

Sa’Myah Smith, LSU Tigers

The Louisiana State University sophomore athlete Sa’Myah Smith could only play for five minutes before injuring her ACL, media collateral ligament, and meniscus in the right knee during the game against the Niagara Purple Eagles. The exclusion of Smith was a concern for the Kim Mulkey team since she had shown great improvement from the previous season, basketing 21 points consecutively against the Queens University and the Mississippi Valley.

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Despite suffering a shocking blow, the LSU are going strong this season, having lost just one match. They have a 11-match winning streak and are riding high on their stars Aneesah Morrow and Angel Reese. Mulkey has shown the tendency to regroup with ease as the Lady Tigers have a considerable bench strength. As per LSU Sports website, Smith might get a medical redshirt and have an extra year of eligibility to make up for this season.

Gianna Kneepkens, Utah Utes

The Utah Utes guard Gianna Kneepkens averages as the second-highest scorer for the Utes this season. She has a whopping 17.8 points per game with 5.5 rebounds per match. Thus, the Utah team was considerably shaken when Kneepkens broke multiple bones in her foot during the game against the BYU Cougars. Though, the Utah won that match by an 87-68 margin, Kneepkens’ loss was a frightening one.

During her final game for this season, Kneepkens smoked a brilliant 17 points with 6 rebounds and 3 assists. It was heartbreaking for the fans to watch such a talented player being helped off the floor.

Read More: With Kansas Stumbling Out, Can Purdue Maintain Number 1 NCAA Status?

Nonetheless, the Utah Utes have a 10-2 tally and are positioned at the 12th spot in the AP Polls. Going forward, it will be interesting to see how the Utes battle it out against top-tier teams and perform in clutch moments without their best players this season.

Ayanna Patterson, UConn Huskies

Another University of Connecticut Huskies player Ayanna Patterson had to be sidelined due to surgery in her knee. As per USA Today, she underwent the knee surgery in December for patellar tendinitis. As per the same website, the head coach Geno Auriemma informed that she had been dealing with the condition since high school and this time the medical staff at the UConn decided to operate it after discussing it with the sophomore forward.

Auriemma, as per USA Today, does “anticipate” her “full recovery” and “looks forward to having her back with the team on the court.” Last year she played 30 games and averaged 2.2 points per game with 2.2 rebounds per match. The Huskies management would be hoping for her timely return to increase the bench strength for this year’s NCAA season.

Emily Bessoir, UCLA Bruins

The UCLA Bruins forward Emily Bessoir had to be let off this season after she re-injured her ACL during a game of the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers for Germany. The Munich-born could only ply her trade in a solitary game against the Purdue Boilermakers. Bessoir played for 23 minutes and basketed six points with four rebounds and three assists. 

Bessoir’s presence in the team can be adjudged from the fact that she had played 37 games last season, smashing an average of 9.4 points per game with 5.8 rebounds per match. Additionally, she had an astounding 41.3 % field goal percentage along with 35.7% three-pointer percentage. The No. 2 placed (in the AP Polls) Bruins can only imagine what havoc Bessoir would have wrecked if she had been a part of the squad this season.

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Hoping these athletes recover soon and start contributing to their teams, propelling them to great heights.