UConn Confirms; Jana Out for 23-24 Season

[Carnac]

Geno said she was going to have an important role in the coming season so losing this skilled 6'4" player will absolutely hurt the team.........that said if Azzi, Paige, and Aaliyah can stay healthy UConn will always have a shot at the NC......

Like last year, after we lost Paige a year ago next week, we can't afford to lose anyone else. I don't really like commenting or thinking about losing players. It's bad mojo/karma.

 

[Fan1978]

I had this injury 10 years ago, tough rehabilitation for older people. She will be fine. Girls really snakebite with injuries last 3 years

 

[EasyEd]

Are all these non-contact injuries due to the amount of playing time the kids are getting? It always seems like the girls train very hard and are in top shape. UConn's "luck" over the last several years makes me wonder what's causing so many injuries. BTW, I think Edwards prefers the power forward position. I had anticipated Jana getting a lot of Dorka's minutes.

 

[Carnac]

This hurts so much! Best wishes to Jana! UConn Nation and the Boneyard are with you!

Very much!!!

 

[Skeets]

Jana, get better soon! We’ll all be here waiting for your return. And don’t pay any attention to the folks who think your injury has ruined UConn’s chances for a national championship. They’re just looking for a way to praise you. We all think you’re awesome, and you’ll make an already awesome team even more awesome when you come back from this.

Mr. Dog, you nailed it.

I am besides myself with grief. She had such an amazing tournament. UConn's run of injuries is in my opinion, unprecedented. What the heck do we need to do? Put more money in the basket on Sundays? I sincerely hope Jana gets all the love and support possible.

I hope she can make the Europe trip. Sales was limping around on crutches and shooting an infamous shot just mere days after her injury. So, who knows?

Other athletes have come back just fine, unfortunately it sounds like it's next year for Jana. I hope the kid goes for a masters degree.

 

[Centerstream]

Horrible news. Shes Uconn’s best post player. LSU is now a huge favorite to repeat next year.

Jana hasn't played a minute of NCAA basketball (against another team) and you have anointed her our best post player? ufb.

 

[Hayven]

At this point I’m going to need everyone to do whatever they believe will ward off the bad juju from this team. It’s getting ridiculous at this point

 

[GoingPostal]

As much as I'd like to, I can't give you a like on this because there's nothing to like about it.

 

[PacoSwede]

At this point I’m going to need everyone to do whatever they believe will ward off the bad juju from this team. It’s getting ridiculous at this point

RIDICULOUS is too kind.

and 'at this point' happened a loooonnng time ago.

 

[SECbbfan24]

Prayers to Jana for a speedy recovery. UConn is still the overwhelming favorites next year to win it though (provided the rest of the roster is healthy)

My final four picks are SC, UCONN, Iowa, and either Utah/UCLA

But watch out for VT and Indiana. Ohio St will miss Mikesell but Celeste Taylor is excellent

 

[oldhusky]

Like last year, after we lost Paige a year ago next week, we can't afford to lose anyone else. I don't really like commenting or thinking about losing players. It's bad mojo/karma.

The more optimistic assumptions that this won't make much of a difference, seem to be based on assumptions that we can hope for, but are far from sure things. The last two years we were in similar situations where we couldn't afford to lose someone else but then we did. If our bigs miss two or three games each over the season, that might be close to normal.

Not missing any is the best case scenario, not the most likely. Another season ending injury probably won't happen but it certainly could. There is lots of time before the season begins, and then a long season before the NCAA tournament.

If all the big candidates stay healthy and meet or exceed expectations we might be fine, but at best we lost a major cushion against further unfortunate events, or players that fall short of our hopes. The odds that Jana will be significantly missed in at least 5 or 6 games or so seems pretty high to me, just because of a normal level of minor injuries, and the consequences even greater if Ice, Ayanna or Amari don't match our hopes for them.

 

[Longtime fan]

She was going to have a major role. This is a huge loss. Don't kid yourself. So now we have two post players, if they stay healthy. UCONN just can't have a good year. Not one. This throws cold water on the idea that we will finally have a healthy season. There will be more, I fear. It seems that we are fine only until the games begin. Keep your expectations under control. This is a total bummer.

 

[ConnMotors]

I have not read all of the posts so my bad if this was mentioned. But is it worthwhile to play in these off season tournaments? I know that they love playing ball not only for themselves but for country. Whether it’s international or USA basketball. Sometimes chilling out around the pool, beach or just taking extra foul shots may be a better thing.

 

[jake0414]

Wow just awful to get hurt during the last game of the tournament. Hope for a complete and speedy recovery.

 

[cancontent]

I have not read all of the posts so my bad if this was mentioned. But is it worthwhile to play in these off season tournaments? I know that they love playing ball not only for themselves but for country. Whether it’s international or USA basketball. Sometimes chilling out around the pool, beach or just taking extra foul shots may be a better thing.

The same could be said for these international trips programs are completing over the course of the summer. Is it worth going overseas for "team building"?

It's not a cut and dry situation, especially for countries like Egypt who need a player like Jana to even be competitive at this level. Not to mention, it's really programs in North America that are impacted by these schedules moresoe than other countries.

Another thing to consider is an injury like this could have happened anywhere, even just walking and stepping awkwardly. It's easy to point the finger to playing in an international tournament, but that wouldn't explain what happened last year to Paige and Ice

 

[Charliebball]

Like last year, after we lost Paige a year ago next week, we can't afford to lose anyone else. I don't really like commenting or thinking about losing players. It's bad mojo/karma.

It's come to where I'm actually nervous every time I log on to the Boneyard site........they just have to break this injury cycle at some point, the sooner the better.........

 

[Carnac]

The more optimistic assumptions that this won't make much of a difference, seem to be based on assumptions that we can hope for, but are far from sure things. The last two years we were in similar situations where we couldn't afford to lose someone else but then we did. If our bigs miss two or three games each over the season, that might be close to normal.

Not missing any is the best case scenario, not the most likely. Another season ending injury probably won't happen but it certainly could. There is lots of time before the season begins, and then a long season before the NCAA tournament.

If all the big candidates stay healthy and meet or exceed expectations we might be fine, but at best we lost a major cushion against further unfortunate events, or players that fall short of our hopes. The odds that Jana will be significantly missed in at least 5 or 6 games or so seems pretty high to me, just because of a normal level of minor injuries, and the consequences even greater if Ice, Ayanna or Amari don't match our hopes for them.

The same could be said for these international trips programs are completing over the course of the summer. Is it worth going overseas for "team building"?

It's not a cut and dry situation, especially for countries like Egypt who need a player like Jana to even be competitive at this level. Not to mention, it's really programs in North America that are impacted by these schedules moresoe than other countries.

Another thing to consider is an injury like this could have happened anywhere, even just walking and stepping awkwardly. It's easy to point the finger to playing in an international tournament, but that wouldn't explain what happened last year to Paige and Ice

Thanks for the consolation. It helps. This is MY opinion based on Jana's season ending injury.....I think Amari, Ayanna and Ice all need to have a "come to the Son of man Jesus moment" in the next few days. For those not familiar with this term: What does it mean to come to the Son of man? : a moment of sudden realization, comprehension, or recognition that often precipitates a major change.

If UConn is successful in winning #12 this season, ALL THREE of these players will have to collectively (tag team if they have to) contribute to that goal each and every game, especially come March. Get it done!!! No doubt the guards and forwards will hold up their end. The Boneyard deleted the word for the Son of man that begins with the letter J. I typed it, but the system automatically deleted it. Anyway, you get my drift.

 

[BullDawg]

I have not read all of the posts so my bad if this was mentioned. But is it worthwhile to play in these off season tournaments? I know that they love playing ball not only for themselves but for country. Whether it’s international or USA basketball. Sometimes chilling out around the pool, beach or just taking extra foul shots may be a better thing.

When you recruit international players, they especially want to play FIBA during the summer. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to recruit these players if they couldn’t play on their country teams. South Florida had two on the Spanish U19 FIBA team (Marina Asensio (who was out with an undisclosed (at least to me) injury and Carla Brito, who, thankfully didn’t get injured). We also have several recruits who played on FIBA U18 teams. This is just the way it is. I hold my breath until everyone gets back on campus every year!

 

[Carnac]

It's come to where I'm actually nervous every time I log on to the Boneyard site........they just have to break this injury cycle at some point, the sooner the better.........

Me too Charlie. I think I'm going to take a break from the yard for a few days. I'm devastated. SMH

 

[visitingcock]

Horrible news. Shes Uconn’s best post player. LSU is now a huge favorite to repeat next year.

Prayers for Jana are the most important thing.

But, one should never count on an inexperienced freshman to make you the top team. And, no I don’t count LSU as a huge favorite. The are one of about 8 contenders

 

[uconnever]

We really needed her help. I just want Paige, Nika and Aaliyah to have a healthy team to help them go out the right way. They deserve it. If we dont win it all then so be it, I just want a full team to either win together or lose together.

 

[MinneHusky]

Man what a huge bummer. I was looking forward to watching her play this year after getting that little extra time last year adjusting and learning. Sending her quick and proper healing vibes.

 

[CL82]

Man what a huge bummer. I was looking forward to watching her play this year after getting that little extra time last year adjusting and learning. Sending her quick and proper healing vibes.

Yep it seemed like everything was clicking for her.

 

[Next 12]

Me too Charlie. I think I'm going to take a break from the yard for a few days. I'm devastated. SMH

I agree with you, but I can't help myself, I have to see what's going on. My seeing Jana play this year will be delayed by her injury. I did not think she was a freshman with little experience. She was polished and held her own in the FIBA games she played in, scoring and defending well. Her father was her coach since she was little and she had a BIG head start in BB because of it. She also would have grown another inch or two this season and would have been our 5 as a freshman and for years to come, What a pity we won't see her start in Uconn games. I predict she will be an AA in coming years. HANG IN THERE JANA!!!! GO HUSKIES!!!!

 

[HuskyNan]

She was going to have a major role. This is a huge loss. Don't kid yourself. So now we have two post players, if they stay healthy. UCONN just can't have a good year. Not one. This throws cold water on the idea that we will finally have a healthy season. There will be more, I fear. It seems that we are fine only until the games begin. Keep your expectations under control. This is a total bummer.

1 Aaliyah
2 Ayanna
3 Ice
4 Amari

 

[jake0414]

The same could be said for these international trips programs are completing over the course of the summer. Is it worth going overseas for "team building"?

The coaches see a big benefit in the ten additional practices they are allowed before departing for their international trip. Plus it affords a team an opportunity to play in front of a team member’s friends and family if the team has an international on its roster. UConn goes to Croatia for Nika. UCLA will visit Munich (Bessoir’s hometown) and Berlin (Sontag’s hometown). I’m sure there are plenty of other examples.

 

[Dove]

 

[Charliebball]

1 Aaliyah
2 Ayanna
3 Ice
4 Amari

The front court is still strong, but I don't really consider Aaliyah or Ayanna prototypical post players............it's Amari and Ice and I'm not sure of Amari's physical condition at this point..............are we certain that she will be at 100% for the start of the new season?

 

[cancontent]

The coaches see a big benefit in the ten additional practices they are allowed before departing for their international trip. Plus it affords a team an opportunity to play in front of a team member’s friends and family if the team has an international on its roster. UConn goes to Croatia for Nika. UCLA will visit Munich (Bessoir’s hometown) and Berlin (Sontag’s hometown). I’m sure there are plenty of other examples.

There are a lot of examples because a lot of teams are doing it. My point however is if one wants to have FIBA events eliminated, then international tours should get the same scrutiny. They're also outside of the regular season and playing a different set of rules that some consider more physical. Team building can also be done on campus.

Those who have seen my posts know I'm for FIBA competitions and international tours. They can be great experiences for these players. I find it confusing when I read posts where international trips are justifiable but FIBA competitions aren't. They're similar situations to me.

 

[Martin]

Thats a reasonable estimate. Although it can be less- Cam Akers (running back LA Rams) returned to action in less than 6 months.
I was surprised to learn of the NBA players who have had Achilles injuries in recent years (Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson). Breanna Stewart had one although it wasn’t a complete rupture apparently.

Didn’t David Ortiz as well?