'I'm heartbroken': Oregon center Sedona Prince's senior season ends before it starts

EUGENE, Oregon — Sedona Prince’s career at Oregon is over.

The senior center suffered a torn ligament in her elbow that will require season-ending surgery, the school announced Friday morning.

Prince, who graduated in June, also announced she will now focus on recovery before pursuing a professional career instead of applying for a medical exemption to get back her final season at Oregon.

“I’m heartbroken. I truly felt that this was the year I could showcase my work ethic and skills on the court, but also my self-growth and leadership ability," Prince said in a statement released through the athletic department.

"I tried to push through the injury and be there for my team, but after extensive evaluation from the best doctors in the world and looking deep inside myself at my passions and goals, I know that I have to take care (of) my elbow now in order to ensure long-term health and a sustained professional career.”

Expectations were high for Prince heading into the 2022-23 season. She was named to the Pac-12’s preseason all-conference team for the third consecutive season, and was named to the Lisa Leslie Award preseason watch list for the first time in her career. The honor is awarded annually to the nation’s top center.

Last season, the 6-foot-7 Prince led the Ducks and ranked fourth in the Pac-12 with her 54.2 shooting percentage. She also ranked second on the team in rebounding (4.9 per game) and blocks (1.3 per game) and finished fourth in scoring at 9.3 points a game.

In her three seasons at Oregon, Prince played in 50 games and averaged 9.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and shot 54.3% from the field.

Much of her impact as a Duck came off the court as she became a face and voice for gender equality. She famously posted a video to social media in 2021 showing the glaring disparities between the women’s NCAA tournament facilities and the men’s tournament facilities, sparking national outrage and change by the NCAA.

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“We are going to miss Sedona,” coach Kelly Graves said. “She has done so many wonderful things and has been an incredible representative of our program and the University. Her impact on collegiate athletics, especially in the area of gender equity, has been immense and will be felt for generations to come. I wish her only the best in all of her future endeavors. I cannot wait to see the ways she will continue to positively impact and change our world. Once a Duck, always a Duck.”

Prince will make her final appearance in an Oregon uniform Friday night when she will be honored before the Ducks’ exhibition game against Carroll College at Matthew Knight Arena.

“I will always love this challenging program and its ability (to) hold me accountable and to always elevate my game,” Prince said.

“The Eugene community took this Texas girl in immediately and made me feel like family. I will forever cherish the relationships and experiences I have made here on this journey.”

Follow Chris Hansen on Twitter @chansen_RG or email at chansen@registerguard.com.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Sedona Prince's Oregon basketball career ends with elbow injury