Illinois women’s basketball forward Kersten Magrum’s playing career is over.
Doctors medically disqualified the junior earlier this week after recurring symptoms from her fourth concussion at Illinois and second of the season.
“She’s down,” Illinois head coach Matt Bollant said. “But I think she realizes that it’s what’s best for her in the long term.”
Magrum suffered the concussion against Illinois State on Dec. 21. She appeared in three games after the initial injury, but recurring symptoms forced her to miss the team’s four most recent games.
Senior Adrienne GodBold replaced Magrum in the starting lineup after returning from academic ineligibility Dec. 29. Junior Amber Moore has played in Magrum’s spot offensively in the new lineup, while GodBold replaces Magrum defensively.
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“Other kids will have to step up,” Bollant said. Freshman McKenzie Piper and sophomore Nia Oden have come off the bench in Magrum’s absence, and they will be expected to continue to contribute.
When Magrum was forced to miss four games earlier this season because of a shoulder injury, Piper started in her place. Piper has averaged 2.4 points in 11.6 minutes in 13 games this season.
Magrum will continue as a travelling member of the team for the remainder of the season.
Magrum appeared in 11 games for the Illini this season; she was a starter in seven, averaging 5.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 21 minutes.
Magrum was forced to medically redshirt during her second season with the team because of a foot injury. She also missed nine games last season with two head injuries. Her third concussion occurred during the offseason.
Before the season, Magrum attributed her problems with concussions to being undersized in the post at 6-foot-1.
Magrum came to Illinois as a member of the six-player recruiting class of 2009 that ranked No. 2 nationally. She is the third member of the class to prematurely end her time at Illinois. Destiny Williams, the class’s top recruit, transferred after one game. She now starts for top-ranked Baylor. Williams played a key role in the Bears’ national championship last season. Brianna Jones was dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules. Jones now plays at Toledo.
Johnathan can be reached at [email protected] and @jhett93.
