Illinois sophomore guard Gretchen Dolan and fifth-year guard Makira Cook will miss the rest of this season, the program announced Wednesday. Dolan is dealing with a knee injury, while Cook is out with an “ongoing health condition,” according to statements posted on the program’s social media accounts.
Cook hasn’t taken the floor for the Illini since Dec. 8. Dolan was out for a month earlier this season, not playing after Nov. 27 until a Dec. 28 matchup against Oregon. However, her return was short-lived; her injury was aggravated enough for her to be ruled out until next year.
The announcement is a massive blow for the Illini, as Cook and Dolan are both key pieces for the team. Cook was the team’s starting point guard, and she could light up at any moment, evidenced by her 20-point (8-13 shooting), eight-assist performance against Oregon State on Nov. 22. She was averaging 11.9 points per game before her injury and will end her career in Champaign with 1,152 points as an Illini.
Without Cook, the Illini will continue to rely on fellow fifth-year Genesis Bryant as their lead guard. Since Cook’s last game in early December, Bryant has scored in double-digits every night, including a 32-point outburst against Washington on Dec. 31.
Unlike Cook, Dolan still has multiple years ahead of her in college basketball. Dolan was a spark plug for the Illini off the bench this season, averaging 10.5 points per game, currently good for the fifth-highest on the team. She had improved from her freshman season, where she only scored 4.8 points per game. Dolan’s three-point shooting was also on the rise, standing at 35.5% this season compared to 30.2% last year.
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
The loss of Dolan and Cook brings Illinois to three season-ending injuries this season, severely impacting the team’s depth. Sophomore transfer center Lety Vasconcelos tore her ACL during summer workouts before appearing in any games for the Illini.
The Illini are currently 1-3 in the Big Ten and sit at No. 13 in the conference. They have lost their last two games against Washington and Minnesota. Without two key players, it will be a tough rest of the season for the Illini as they fight to make their mark in conference play.
@sahil_mittal24
