Guard Kayla McPherson of the UNC women’s basketball program officially announced her retirement from basketball Tuesday, citing multiple knee injuries and long recovery periods. The redshirt senior will remain with the team as a student assistant.

A McDonald’s All-American at Madison County High School in Hull, GA, McPherson joined UNC in 2021 as a highly-touted recruit, but missed her entire freshman season to rehab an injury sustained in high school. She played her first minutes as a Tar Heel in January of 2023, appearing in 13 games and making three starts as a redshirt freshman. McPherson scored a career-high 22 points and added six rebounds against Boston College on February 12, after which she was named ACC Freshman of the Week.

McPherson then played in seven more games and started three to begin the 2023-24 season, but sustained another knee injury which ended her season before the new year.

McPherson remained with the team throughout the 2024-25 campaign, but never played another game for the Tar Heels.

“Wearing the UNC jersey has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” McPherson said. “Being part of such an amazing program has truly been a blessing, and I will forever cherish the memories made here… This journey has been filled with challenges, growth, and joy, and I’m grateful for every moment spent playing the sport I love. Though my playing days are coming to a close, I will always be a Tar Heel, and I’m excited to step into a new role for this team and continue giving back to the program that has given me so much.”

Head coach Courtney Banghart lauded McPherson’s “grit, sacrifice, and hope,” while looking forward to her role as a student assistant.

“The time has come where the mortality of Kayla’s athletic career will officially be surpassed by the immortality of its spirit,” Banghart said. “We have already benefited from Kayla’s dedication to the team, as she has always been a valued and vocal teammate and coach on the sidelines during practice, and a leader and cheerleader to her teammates in the game.”

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Anthony Sorbellini

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