University of North Carolina Athletics
Walker, Watts Out For The Season
February 13, 2018 | Women's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL - North Carolina junior guards Destinee Walker and Stephanie Watts are officially ruled out for the 2017-18 women's basketball season. Both players suffered knee injuries late in the 2016-17 season and will return with two years of eligibility remaining with the Tar Heels.
"We can't wait to have these two outstanding young ladies back on the court next season. It's been tough for all of us to see them on the sidelines," said North Carolina head coach Sylvia Hatchell. "They've worked closely with our medical and strength and conditioning staffs in rehabbing knee injuries that occurred last season. As a program, we've exercised extreme caution during the rehab process with the anticipation that they'll be back to full health for next season."
Dr. Harry Stafford, a team physician with the Tar Heels since 2009, also commented, "We felt it was in the best interest of Destinee and Stephanie's health to sit out the entire 2017-18 season in order for them to be 100 percent for the following season."
Watts, a preseason All-ACC selection leading into the 2017-18 campaign, ranks 10th in program history as a 15.7-point per game scorer and sits ninth all-time with 7.5 rebounds per game. The 2016 ACC Freshman of the Year was named second team All-ACC after averaging 14.7 points and 7.2 rebounds in her rookie season.
The Wesley Chapel, N.C., native set an ACC single-game record with 10 three-pointers against Charleston Southern on Nov. 22, 2016 as a sophomore. Watts scored a career-high 39 points that evening against the Lady Bucs, the fifth most points in program history.Â
"It's been tough not being able to contribute on the court this year, but I've learned a lot seeing the game from a new perspective," Watts said. "I look forward to be back on the court with my teammates next year"
Walker, from Orlando, Florida, is a solid two-way player that has twice been named the program's defensive player of the year and is a prolific scorer in her own right, owning a 13.3 point per game average in two seasons in Chapel Hill. She was named to the 2016 ACC All-Freshman Team after a fine rookie season that saw her put up 13.9 ppg.
Walker ranks among the top free throw shooters in UNC history at 78.1 percent, and was named to the ACC All-Academic Team as a freshman.
"I'm disappointed that I was unable to play this season," added Walker. "I'm so proud of my teammates for playing hard and I can't wait to be back on the court with them. I'm excited to be a part of the great things we will accomplish next season."
Both players were named McDonald's All-Americans during their prep days.Â
"We can't wait to have these two outstanding young ladies back on the court next season. It's been tough for all of us to see them on the sidelines," said North Carolina head coach Sylvia Hatchell. "They've worked closely with our medical and strength and conditioning staffs in rehabbing knee injuries that occurred last season. As a program, we've exercised extreme caution during the rehab process with the anticipation that they'll be back to full health for next season."
Dr. Harry Stafford, a team physician with the Tar Heels since 2009, also commented, "We felt it was in the best interest of Destinee and Stephanie's health to sit out the entire 2017-18 season in order for them to be 100 percent for the following season."
Watts, a preseason All-ACC selection leading into the 2017-18 campaign, ranks 10th in program history as a 15.7-point per game scorer and sits ninth all-time with 7.5 rebounds per game. The 2016 ACC Freshman of the Year was named second team All-ACC after averaging 14.7 points and 7.2 rebounds in her rookie season.
The Wesley Chapel, N.C., native set an ACC single-game record with 10 three-pointers against Charleston Southern on Nov. 22, 2016 as a sophomore. Watts scored a career-high 39 points that evening against the Lady Bucs, the fifth most points in program history.Â
"It's been tough not being able to contribute on the court this year, but I've learned a lot seeing the game from a new perspective," Watts said. "I look forward to be back on the court with my teammates next year"
Walker, from Orlando, Florida, is a solid two-way player that has twice been named the program's defensive player of the year and is a prolific scorer in her own right, owning a 13.3 point per game average in two seasons in Chapel Hill. She was named to the 2016 ACC All-Freshman Team after a fine rookie season that saw her put up 13.9 ppg.
Walker ranks among the top free throw shooters in UNC history at 78.1 percent, and was named to the ACC All-Academic Team as a freshman.
"I'm disappointed that I was unable to play this season," added Walker. "I'm so proud of my teammates for playing hard and I can't wait to be back on the court with them. I'm excited to be a part of the great things we will accomplish next season."
Both players were named McDonald's All-Americans during their prep days.Â
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