NEWARK, N.J. — The University of Maryland announced on Monday that their reserve guard, Bri McDaniel, will be sidelined for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL in her right knee.
The injury occurred during last Tuesday’s game against Minnesota at the end of the first quarter. McDaniel injured herself while attempting a layup, landing awkwardly and subsequently needing assistance to leave the court.
Maryland’s head coach, Brenda Frese, expressed her sadness over the situation, stating, “We are so sad for Bri. She brings a competitive fire and passion every time she steps on the court and I know she will continue to pour that into her teammates.” She assured fans that McDaniel would receive abundant support from both the Maryland community and her family during her recovery journey. Frese is confident that McDaniel will tackle her rehabilitation with determination to return even stronger.
Before her injury, McDaniel was contributing significantly to the team, averaging 10.6 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game off the bench.
In a heartfelt message posted on social media, McDaniel thanked her fans and friends for their ongoing support, saying, “To all my fans and friends I just want to say thank you for all your support, love and prayers. Due to an ACL tear in my right knee I won’t be able to play the rest of the season, but don’t worry ya’ll, the comeback is coming soon 24 out.”
McDaniel was present on the bench during the team’s recent 89-51 defeat against No. 7 Texas at the Coretta Scott King Classic.
Frese commented on the impact of McDaniel’s absence, noting, “You’re not going to replace a player like Bri. Everyone has to do a little bit more on the defensive end.”
In addition to McDaniel’s injury, the Terrapins also lost star guard Shyanne Sellers in the second quarter due to a right knee issue. Sellers’s knee collided with another player, resulting in her leaving the game. Although she briefly returned, she was later unable to continue playing. Frese mentioned that she was uncertain about the extent of Sellers’s injury, stating, “She’ll be evaluated by the doctor tomorrow and we’ll go from there. She was sorely missed. She’s such a competitor, to lose that piece so early in the game was impactful.”
As the team faces these challenges, the focus is on resilience and supporting each other in difficult times.
