WNBA stars seem to be bowing out of the season everywhere, which surely will kick-up debates about year-round play and wear on their bodies, again. Indiana PG Briann January joined three-time MVP Lauren Jackson and Los Angeles star Candace Parker as the latest to suffer a serious injury.
January, who shinned at Lewis and Clark High, underwent an MRI on Wednesday that revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee. She suffered the season-ending injury in the fourth quarter of the Fever’s win against Phoenix on Tuesday.
Surgery to repair her knee will be performed in 4 to 6 weeks by Dr. Stephen Kollias, team orthopedist with St. Vincent Sports Performance.
Parker is in the midst of rehabilitating her right knee surgery. She’ll miss about six weeks, missing all but 10 games in 2010 due to shoulder surgery.
Meanwhile Jackson is preparing for an approximate three-hour surgery on Thursday to repair her torn labrum. A source said it’s off the bone and torn in half. She’ll require 8-12 weeks of rehabilitation, beginning with four weeks on crutches.
Jackson plans to rehabilitate in Seattle. Dr. Marc Philippon of Vail, Co. will handle the operation, known as the best orthopedic hip surgeon in America.
Storm coach Brian Agler announced earlier this week that he signed Polish C Ewelina Kobryn, but she needed to obtain a visa and pass necessary physicals. Kobryn would replace rookie Ify Ibekwe on the roster, who was cut Sunday.
But on Wednesday, Agler was noncommittal about Kobryn joining the team for its Eastern Conference swing. The Storm does not qualify for the WNBA’s medical exemption.
The Storm (4-2) begins a three-game road trip against Connecticut (5-3) on Friday.