Former UNC standout Jessica Breland announced this past Sunday that she is opting to sit out the upcoming 2020 WNBA season, which is supposed to begin later this month at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Breland was ruled medically exempt by the WNBA based on her status as a cancer survivor. While at UNC, she overcame Hodgkin’s lymphoma–which could leave her at higher risk for COVID-19.

In 2011, Breland was the recipient of the Honda Inspiration Award. That honor goes annually to a female college athlete who overcomes adversity to excel in her sport. After missing the 2009-10 season to fight cancer, she returned in 2010-11 and was an honorable mention for the All-ACC team.

She was then picked 13th overall in the WNBA Draft and eventually went on to become an All-Star in the league during the 2014 season as a member of the Chicago Sky.

Last year in the WNBA, she started all 33 games she played in and averaged 7.5 points and 7.3 rebounds while with the Atlanta Dream. This past February, Breland was traded from Atlanta to the Phoenix Mercury.

 

Photo via WNBA

 

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