DePaul University Athletics
Charlene Smith Out Indefinitely With Knee Injury
12/7/2004 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO – DePaul guard Charlene Smith, who suffered an injury to her right knee early in Monday's game against Loyola-Chicago, is out indefinitely after an MRI on Tuesday revealed a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and a sprained MCL (medial collateral ligament).
Further diagnosis and possible surgery will be determined at a later date. Smith was injured just 5:08 into game on Monday evening at the DePaul Athletic Center against Loyola-Chicago.
“Whenever a team loses one of the top guards in America, it is an obvious setback," said head coach Doug Bruno. "Charlene Smith is more than just a great player, she is a great leader and an even greater person. Charlene is also an extremely tough person and I am confident she will make a full recovery. We will all be watching her bring fans out of their seats once again in the WNBA. It's now up to Charlene’s teammates to step up and keep our DePaul team moving forward.”
Smith is averaging 11.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, and is a candidate for the Bayer Advantage Senior CLASS Award. The preseason All-Conference USA honoree started all six games this season after averaging 17.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per contest in 30 starts as a junior.
The Blue Demons stand at 6-0 and are ranked No. 15 in both the Associated Press and USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches top 25's. DePaul plays at No. 21/19 Purdue on Thursday night and No. 9/9 Tennessee on Sunday afternoon.
