The No. 3 ranked University of Southern California women’s basketball team was dealt a significant blow on Saturday, as the school announced that star freshman guard Kennedy Smith will be out indefinitely after undergoing a surgical procedure. The news came just before the Trojans were set to host No. 6 Notre Dame in a highly anticipated early-season matchup.
According to a statement released by USC, Smith is expected to return to competition later this season, but no specific timeline was provided. The school did not disclose details about the nature of Smith’s surgery or injury.
Rising Star Sidelined
Kennedy Smith, a highly touted recruit from nearby Chino, California, had been off to an impressive start in her collegiate career. Through USC’s first four games, the freshman was averaging 10.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per contest.
Smith’s last appearance came on November 15th against Santa Clara, where she recorded nine points and five steals in a Trojans victory. Her absence will undoubtedly be felt by USC, as they look to maintain their undefeated record and high national ranking.
Next Woman Up
With Smith sidelined, USC head coach Lindsay Gottlieb will need to rely on her team’s depth to fill the void. In Saturday’s game against Notre Dame, freshman Kayleigh Heckel was tabbed to make her first start of the season in Smith’s place.
Heckel, a 5’11” guard from Brentwood, California, has shown promise off the bench for the Trojans this season. In limited minutes, she’s averaged 3.5 points and 2.0 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 50% from the field.
“Kayleigh has been working hard in practice and has earned this opportunity,” Coach Gottlieb said in a pregame interview. “We have full confidence in her ability to step up and contribute alongside our other talented players.”
– USC Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb
Maintaining Championship Aspirations
Despite the setback of losing Smith, USC remains focused on their ultimate goal of competing for a national championship. The Trojans entered the 2024-25 season with high expectations, thanks in large part to a recruiting class ranked No. 2 in the nation by ESPN.
In addition to Smith and Heckel, USC boasts a roster loaded with talent, including All-American forward Aaliyah Simmons and sharpshooter Maria Ramirez. The Trojans will need all of their weapons firing on all cylinders as they navigate a challenging Pac-12 Conference schedule.
“We’re all pulling for Kennedy to have a speedy recovery,” said Simmons, a junior and team captain. “But we also know that we have the depth and resilience to weather this storm. We’ll continue to focus on getting better every day and taking things one game at a time.”
– USC Forward Aaliyah Simmons
Road to Recovery
As Smith begins her rehabilitation process, the USC community will undoubtedly rally around the young star. Known for her tireless work ethic and infectious positive attitude, Smith has quickly become a fan favorite and locker room leader in her short time with the Trojans.
While the specifics of her recovery timeline remain uncertain, one thing is clear: Kennedy Smith has the full support of her teammates, coaches, and Trojan faithful as she works to get back on the court and help lead USC to national prominence.
Until then, the Trojans will lean on their “next woman up” mentality, confident in their ability to overcome adversity and continue their march toward a championship season. As Coach Gottlieb often reminds her team, “It’s not about who we play, it’s about how we play.”
With that mindset, USC looks to prove that they are more than just one player, even if that player is the extraordinary Kennedy Smith. The college basketball world will be watching closely to see how this talented squad responds to their latest challenge.
