The UNC women’s basketball team is off to a flying start to the 2021-22 season, but did release some somber news Thursday. The program announced freshman guard Kayla McPherson, who has not played a game this season, would take a medical redshirt for the rest of the campaign. McPherson is recovering from a torn ACL suffered during high school.

“We’re obviously heartbroken not to have Kayla on the court this season, but our highest priority is to ensure that she’s fully healthy before she’s cleared,” said head coach Courtney Banghart in a statement. “Kayla is a special talent with a long career in front of her, which we want to include four full years with us in the Carolina blue… Tar Heel fans are going to learn soon that she’s worth waiting for.”

McPherson signed with Carolina as the No. 17 overall player in her class and a four-star prospect, according to ESPN’s rankings. Originally from Hull, GA, McPherson was part of a stellar UNC freshman class which ESPN ranked No. 3 in the country. Unfortunately, two members of that class will not play at all this season, as McPherson joins Teonni Key, who tore her ACL in a scrimmage, on the redshirt list. Junior Ariel Young is also redshirting this season after tearing her ACL in practice.

The other two members of UNC’s freshman class, wing Destiny Adams and guard Morasha Wiggins, are currently averaging 3.5 and 2.9 points per game this season. They are part of a remarkably young roster assembled by Banghart. The 9-0 Tar Heels, ranked No. 25 in the AP Poll and No. 20 in the Coaches Poll, currently stand to lose only two players after this season, and will likely return four of five starters.

 

Featured image via YouTube

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