MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota guard Mara Braun will sit out the remainder of the current basketball season to retain an extra year of eligibility following a recurring right foot injury. Head coach Dawn Plitzuweit announced on Monday that Braun will not participate in the postseason games. The Minnesota Gophers, currently at a 20-10 record and hopeful for an NCAA Tournament at-large spot, hold the 13th seed in the Big Ten Tournament. They are set to face Washington in the opening game in Indianapolis this Wednesday.
Braun, who was notable as the sixth-leading scorer in the Big Ten last season with an average of 17 points per game, initially sustained her injury on January 28, 2024, during a matchup against Illinois. In that game, her foot awkwardly landed on an opponent, resulting in the first break. She endured surgery and undertook a two-month recovery before returning for two games in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) last year. Unfortunately, she re-injured her foot, causing her to miss the remainder of the tournament, including the championship loss to Saint Louis.
This season, Braun participated in the first five games before re-breaking the same bone during a practice session on November 20. This situation necessitated another surgical intervention. Considering her professional aspirations and the benefit her presence could provide the team in subsequent two seasons, Minnesota has opted for a cautious approach, prioritizing a thorough recovery.
Coach Plitzuweit acknowledged the challenge, remarking, “Was it realistic? I think it was hopeful, but probably not something that we were banking on if that’s a safe way to say it. You certainly can’t go through this again, or you never want to. You just can’t risk any of those types of situations.” This careful strategy reflects both Braun’s long-term career goals and the team’s future success.
