The Maryland Terrapins women’s basketball team was dealt a crushing blow on Monday when it was announced that junior guard Bri McDaniel will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee. The devastating injury occurred in the first quarter of last Tuesday’s game against Minnesota as McDaniel drove to the basket for a layup but landed awkwardly.
Head coach Brenda Frese expressed her heartbreak and support for McDaniel, saying, “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 will have incredible support from our Maryland family and her amazing family back home. We will be with her every step of the way and I know she will attack her recovery and rehab to come back stronger than ever.”
Rising Role Cut Short
McDaniel, a 5-foot-9 combo guard from Chicago, had taken on an expanded role off the bench for the Terrapins this season. Through 19 games, she was averaging career-highs with 10.6 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.1 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per contest. Her ability to provide instant offense and push the pace in transition made her a valuable spark plug for Frese’s second unit.
The former top-50 recruit saw limited action in her first two seasons in College Park but dedicated herself to improving her strength, conditioning, and all-around game last offseason. That work was paying dividends as McDaniel emerged as one of the Big Ten’s most impactful reserves, garnering buzz as a potential Sixth Player of the Year candidate.
Rallying Around Their Teammate
News of McDaniel’s injury sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Maryland program. Players and coaches rallied around their fallen teammate, vowing to uplift her during the grueling recovery process.
“Bri is such an important part of this team, and it hurts to see her go down like that. We’re going to be with her every step of the way though, sending her our love and doing whatever we can to keep her spirits high. She’ll be back and better than ever, and we can’t wait to see it.”
– Senior forward Stephanie Jones
McDaniel took to social media to thank her supporters, writing “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.”
Next Woman Up
With McDaniel sidelined, Maryland will now look to its bench to fill the void. Sophomore sharpshooter Taisiya Kozlova and freshmen combo guards Andi Keller and Peyton Van Zyl are among those who could see their roles expand down the stretch.
- Taisiya Kozlova – 39.7% 3P shooter, instant offense threat
- Andi Keller – Steady floor general, pesky on-ball defender
- Peyton Van Zyl – Versatile wing, attacks in transition
No one player can replicate McDaniel’s impact alone, but the Terps still boast one of the nation’s deepest and most talented backcourts, headlined by senior All-American Ashley Owusu. Maryland will need increased contributions from up and down the roster as it looks to bounce back and make a deep postseason run.
Long Road Ahead
For McDaniel, the long and arduous process of recovering from a torn ACL begins now. The typical recovery timeline ranges from 8-12 months, meaning she will miss the remainder of this season and likely won’t return to basketball activities until the fall at the earliest.
| Injury | Surgery | Rehab Start | Basketball Activities | Earliest Return |
| 1/16/25 | Early Feb | March 2025 | Fall 2025 | Nov/Dec 2025 |
ACL rehabilitation is an intensive process that involves regaining knee range of motion, rebuilding strength and stability, and eventually progressing to more dynamic basketball movements. McDaniel will work closely with Maryland’s renowned sports medicine staff throughout her recovery.
“Bri is in good hands with our team of doctors, athletic trainers, physical therapists, and strength coaches. We’ll take a comprehensive approach to her rehab and make sure she’s checking all the boxes before she hits the court again. Our number one priority is Bri’s long-term health.”
– Director of Sports Medicine Dr. R.J. Burr
Terps Vow to Stay Strong
Though losing McDaniel is undoubtedly a major setback for Maryland, Frese is confident her team will rally in the face of adversity. The Terrapins have dealt with key injuries in the past and have a championship pedigree to fall back on.
With one of the nation’s most complete rosters and a coaching staff that knows how to overcome obstacles, Maryland still has its sights set on a Big Ten title and return to the Final Four. The pieces are in place for the Terps to finish the year strong, even without one of their rising stars.
For Bri McDaniel, the road ahead is long and challenging, but she has the full support of her Maryland family behind her. The fiery guard has defied the odds before, and those close to her have no doubt she’ll do so again. When McDaniel finally does make her triumphant return to the hardwood, expect it to be a special moment for the player, program, and fans alike.
