KU guard Natalie Knight likely will miss rest of season with torn ACL

Kansas University newcomer Natalie Knight will join the long line of her relatives to don a Jayhawk uniform. Three of Knight's uncles, Mark, Danny and Kelly Knight all played for the men's team.

Knee issues

The Kansas women's basketball team has had its share of knee injuries over the past few seasons:

Oct. 29, 2008 — Angel Goodrich (torn ACL)

Jan. 12, 2010 — Angel Goodrich (torn ACL)

Feb. 2, 2010 — Danielle McCray (torn ACL)

Feb. 12, 2012 — Carolyn Davis (dislocated knee)

Jan. 30, 2013 — Natalie Knight (torn ACL)

Kansas sophomore guard Natalie Knight tore the ACL in her right knee late in Wednesday’s 78-75 come-from-behind overtime victory over Iowa State, KU confirmed Friday. She likely will miss the rest of the season.

Knight started each of the Jayhawks’ previous 19 games and ranks fourth on the team in scoring with 8.3 points per game. She is second on the squad in assists (56), steals (34) and minutes played (565).

Knight left the Iowa State game Wednesday night at the 1:46 mark in the second half with the knee injury after putting in a fast-break layup. She finished the game with a career-high 21 points.

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liljayhawker15 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Prayers go out to Natalie! Thanks for all your hard work this season. Can't wait to see you back out there next year. Rock Chalk!

Phog4ever 4 months, 2 weeks ago

What a bad break for Natalie. Rehab hard and come back next year. We'll miss you -- our bench is going to have to pick up their game!

mvjayhawk 4 months, 2 weeks ago

so it is...another year, another ACL tear. this program must lead the country in ACL tears for women the last several years.

she'll have plenty of folks on the team that can give her feedback on the rehab. good luck Natalie. bless your heart.

webmocker 4 months, 2 weeks ago

mvjayhawk says "so it is...another year, another ACL tear. this program must lead the country in ACL tears for women the last several years."

Perhaps not. ACL tears are unfortunately rather common among women basketball players: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/27/sports/ncaabasketball/27acl.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

ohioburg 4 months, 2 weeks ago

I can't find the stats but I've heard that women soccer players suffer a disproportionate number of knee injuries than males, too.

webmocker 4 months, 2 weeks ago

4X as many, by some accounts.

OakvilleJHawk 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Natalie, heal and get strong. With Angel graduating, you're going to see a lot of that court next season!!

no_fan 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Thought Lamaria Cole was brought in the take over the PG duties next season ???

panalytic 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Take care of yourself and get well soon Natalie.

big12ku 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Wishing Natalie a speedy recovery. It is never pretty when any kid goes down with an ACL.

BewareOfThePhogOnTheWater 4 months, 2 weeks ago

My thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy and complete recovery, Nat. Looking forward to seeing you back to full strength and speed next year. ROCK CHALK

MinnesotaJay 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Wishing you all the best, Natalie.

mom_of_three 4 months, 2 weeks ago

it does seem like KU has had their share of knee injuries over the past few years.

akgjenkintown 4 months, 2 weeks ago

You have to feel for the lady Jayhawks. They seem to have adversity every year as of late, with injuries and unexpected departures. Hopefully, they can overcome another set back and make a run like last year; however this is a big loss forcthe team. Good luck with your recovery, Natalie. Your fans are behind you.

Left_of_Lawrence 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Sorry to hear of your injury. Hang in there, don't get too down. Work hard in rehab and I hope to see you back on the hardwood before too long.

KU_cynic 4 months, 2 weeks ago

I hope Ms. Knight recovers from the injury.

Knee injuries are epidemic in women's sports such as basketball and soccer, and the injury rate is materially higher than for men. Women's bodies just aren't as capable as enduring the stress associated with a 30-game+ six month basketball season. KU women's teams have exemplified that for several years.

In a misguided quest for gender equality as measured by number of games and length of season we are disproportionately exposing female athletes to higher rates of injury than male athletes. I don't see how that's an outcome that feminists should applaud.

justanotherfan 4 months, 2 weeks ago

It's not the games or the length of season that causes the injury. There is a theory that the build of the female body makes certain injuries more likely, while also lessening the risk for other injuries. Women tend to have fewer strains and pulls than men because of their flexibility. However, that flexibility may put a different strain on their ligaments, exposing them to longer term injuries, while men are more susceptible to the lack of flexibility injuries.

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Women's Basketball