Overcoming Season-Ending Injuries
Players battle through adversity and return as strong as ever
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Sustaining a season-ending injury is both mentally and physically exhausting. Having any type of surgery is scary, the endless hours spent redeveloping strength, mobility, and flexibility are grueling, and rebuilding proficiency, endurance, and confidence is an emotional rollercoaster. On top of that, sitting out while other teammates play can be demoralizing and often conjures up doubt about being able to compete in the same way again.
But spending time on the sidelines has some upside if a player is intentional about it. Players can learn a lot by watching more film with coaches, setting up scouting reports, and looking at the game from a different point of view. Below we highlight a few players who’ve successfully navigated this journey. We look at how they’ve improved their game since returning, note what kept them motivated throughout their rehab process, and share any advice they have with the hope it’ll inspire other players going through something similar.
Emily Bessoir, UCLA
Bessoir has made incredible progress in recovering from an ACL tear that forced her to miss the 2021-22 season. In the short time since she’s returned, the 6-foot-4 sophomore forward has surpassed her pre-injury production in almost every way. She’s started in every game and increased her average points per game from 7.5 to 8.6. She’s also upped her blocks per game and assist-to-turnover ratio, all of which have contributed to the Bruins having one of their best seasons in recent years, compiling an 8-1 record and a No. 13 ranking in the AP Poll.
When asked what kept her motivated during her long and arduous rehab process, Bessior shared what worked for her.
“Definitely keeping track of the process, taking pictures or videos of where you’re at, just to look back on it on hard days or even just to reflect now how far you’ve come because it really builds your confidence,” Bessoir said. “Sometimes you just have to celebrate your own wins. I have a folder on my phone with the pictures I took, and it really lifts me up when I’m having a hard day.”
She also recommended celebrating every tiny victory.
“No matter what it is. If you can take a step for the first time or go on a walk for the first time without crutches. That’s huge. Just celebrate that. Keep the good energy up.” She also added, “Trust your body. And slow and steady wins the race.”
Blair Green, Kentucky
Green is another example of a player making a successful comeback. After being sidelined for the 2021-22 season due to a ruptured Achilles, the 6-foot-2 senior guard has returned to the game with a vengeance, averaging more points (10.3) and rebounds (3.0) per game, as well posting a higher field-goal percentage (46.4) than in any of her previous seasons with the Wildcats.
When asked about what kept her motivated through her recovery, Green noted how she tried to view everything as an opportunity to get better, stay positive, and soak up everything she could from a different perspective of the game.
“I was in a really good spot when I got injured,” Green said. “So that really motivated me to come back stronger than ever and just use that opportunity to get in the weight room, work harder, and work on my leadership skills.”
Green also talked about using the time off to learn new things, gain a better grasp on aspects of the game she wasn’t able to see from the court, and become more of a vocal leader.
“Don’t forget that your voice and leadership mean so much to people,” Green said. “Just the way you carry yourself and the way you work at your rehab speaks volumes for who you are, what you’re trying to do, and it really motivates the other people around you to be better.”
Madison Greene, Ohio State
As one of the Buckeyes’ leading scorers her sophomore year, Greene’s pre-injury stats may seem tough to top. But after sitting out the 2021-22 season with a knee injury, the 5-foot-8 junior guard has almost done it less than 10 games into this season. Greene is inching closer to matching her per-game point average, and she’s already surpassed her averages in assists (6.1), steals (2.8), and field-goal percentage (54.5), helping her team achieve an 8-0 record and a No. 3 ranking in the most recent AP poll.
During Ohio State’s preseason media availability, Greene commented that she felt great and was excited to be back on the court with her teammates. When asked whether she gained a different perspective while she was out during the past season, Greene grew more reflective as she discussed her long journey.
“Sitting on the bench really helped me learn more about the game,” Greene said. “It really made me appreciate just really being healthy. I’d never been through a major injury like this, so it was definitely a different perspective. You sit back and think about life, basketball, family, friends, everything.”
Aubrey Griffin, UConn
For those questioning whether an injury always limits a player’s long-term trajectory, Griffin provides a definitive answer, and it’s a resounding no. Her game has improved in nearly every way since returning from a back surgery that caused her to miss the 2021-22 season, and her successful comeback has been critical to the Huskies establishing a No. 6 ranking in the AP Poll and a 6-1 record, even with a schedule that included several ranked opponents and while other key teammates were sidelined for injuries. This season, the 6-foot-1 junior forward is playing notably more minutes and has increased her points per game from 6.2 to 11.7, her rebounds from 4.8 to 6.1, and her field-goal percentage from 52.3 to 57.4 percent.
During a postgame interview after recording her first double-double since returning this season, Griffin shared how working on certain aspects of her game while she was out really helped.
“During the off-season, I put in a lot of work on my shot and building the confidence to take it,” Griffin said. “It’s taken my game to another level. It feels great just knowing I’m capable of doing it. It feels good to be back.”
Faith Masonius, Maryland
Masonius is an inspiration to look toward for recovering from a season-ending knee injury potentially faster than expected. The pace of return for the 6-foot-1 senior guard is nothing short of remarkable. Masonius tore her ACL midway through the 2021-22 season, and she’s already back putting up numbers that nearly match or exceed her pre-injury performances. Her points per game have increased to 7.9 from 6.4, and she’s just a hair shy of matching her pre-injury rebounding average of 5.6 boards per game.
Although her recovery may be quicker than others (and dependent on the extent of the injury), it doesn’t mean it wasn’t difficult. She spent weeks on crutches, followed by countless hours restoring and rebuilding her body. When asked what kept her motivated throughout the onerous process, Masonius had some great advice.
“Don’t focus on the bad days,” Masonius said. “Try to stay locked into the good days because there are going to be a lot of bad days that make it feel impossible and like you can’t really see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s there…Listen to your PT, listen to your trainers. Be determined. Do the work early so in the end, you can get back onto the court faster. And really focus on your mental health through the whole process because that is a really important piece, especially when you’re coming back onto the court.”
Masonius’s love for the game also helped get her through.
“To return to the court, that was my end goal,” Masonius said. “I took it month by month, day by day, so the end result would be me getting back on the court with my teammates and being able to play the game that I love again.”
And now that she’s back, there have been so many moments she’s appreciated. During their pre-season exhibition game, Masonius recalls how it was only a few minutes in, and she was running the court and got a pass for a full-court layup.
“Those were my first points coming back from injury. It was kind of like ‘I’m back.’ It felt so nice.”
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