Sedona Prince to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery, and Leave Oregon

[Charles Fischer]

(Oregon Athletics Press Release)

 

EUGENE, Ore. — Oregon head women’s basketball coach Kelly Graves and redshirt senior Sedona Prince announced Friday that the preseason all-Pac-12 selection has suffered a torn ligament in her elbow that requires season-ending surgery. Prince has also chosen to exhaust her remaining NCAA eligibility and pursue a professional basketball career following surgery next month.

Prince, who graduated this past May with a degree in general social science with a concentration in applied economics, business and society, has chosen to leave school to focus on rehabilitation and recovery with elbow specialists.

 

“We are going to miss Sedona,” Kelly Graves said. “She has done so many wonderful things and has been an incredible representative of our program and the University. Her impact on collegiate athletics, especially in the area of gender equity, has been immense and will be felt for generations to come. I wish her only the best in all of her future endeavors. I cannot wait to see the ways she will continue to positively impact and change our world. Once a Duck, always a Duck.”

 

“I’m heartbroken,” stated Prince.

 

“I truly felt that this was the year I could showcase my work ethic and skills on the court, but also my self-growth and leadership ability. I tried to push through the injury and be there for my team, but after extensive evaluation from the best doctors in the world and looking deep inside myself at my passions and goals, I know that I have to take care my elbow now in order to ensure long-term health and a sustained professional career.  As an elite athlete, current entrepreneur, and future wave maker I pride myself on creating and continuing to drive impact in everything I do. Not being able to play with my teammates this year is painful and tragic for me.  However, I’m so grateful for the entire community of Eugene for their continued support and inspiration to always push forward through adversity. After all, pressure is a privilege."

 

“I will always love this challenging program and its ability hold me accountable and to always elevate my game.  The Eugene community took this Texas girl in immediately and made me feel like family. I will forever cherish the relationships and experiences I have made here on this journey.”

 

 

In addition to being voted to the Pac-12’s preseason all-conference team for the third consecutive season, Prince was named to the Lisa Leslie Award preseason watch list for the first time in her career. The honor is awarded annually to the nation’s top center.

 

A native of Liberty Hill, Texas, the 6-foot-7 Prince led the Ducks and ranked fourth in the Pac-12 with her 54.2 shooting percentage from the field last season. She also ranked second on the team in rebounding (4.9 per game) and blocks (1.3 per game) while finishing fourth in scoring at 9.3 points a game.

 

Making a career-high 18 starts and 30 appearances in 2021-22, Prince scored in double figures 16 times and shot 50 percent or better from the field in 20 of 30 contests, including six of the last eight to close the campaign.

 

In her three-year Duck career (50 games), she averaged 9.5 points per game while shooting 54.3 percent from the field with 4.4 rebounds per game and 1.4 blocks a game.

Prince missed her freshman season at Texas in 2018-19 after suffering a broken right leg while playing for the USA U18 national team at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City. After transferring to Oregon, she was forced to sit out for a second straight season after being denied immediate eligibility by the NCAA.

 

Friday will mark Prince’s final appearance in a Duck uniform, as she will be honored prior to Oregon’s exhibition contest against Carroll College at 6 p.m. at Matthew Knight Arena.

[Jemangi]

All the best to Sedona!  Thanks for staying as long as was possible for you.

[McDuck]

Nice touch to honor her before a game.

[JDuck]

[Pennsylvania Duck]