Tennessee basketball star Tamari Key will miss the rest of the 2022-23 season due to blood clots in her lungs, the team announced Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Key “is expected to make a full recovery,” per the team’s announcement.
- The senior played in nine games this season, averaging 8.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists.
- Over her four years with the program, Key has played in 99 total games. The Lady Vols’ matchup against Chattanooga on Tuesday marked the first time the center missed a game in her collegiate career.
Here's to a speedy recovery, TK 🧡 pic.twitter.com/aad7TRlnWM
— Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) December 8, 2022
Impact of Key’s absence
Lady Vols coach Kellie Harper knew that Tennessee would have a challenging start to the season with four top-15 opponents on the non-conference schedule, but 2022-23 has been even rougher than imagined for the Lady Vols. They’ve gone from No. 5 in the country to unranked in a matter of weeks. They will be without marquee transfer Rickea Jackson “indefinitely,” per Harper, due to a coach’s decision, and now compound their troubles with the season-long absence of Key.
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Key’s absence leaves a major hole in the middle of the Tennessee lineup. Foul trouble has limited her raw impact this season, but Key was still critical to her team’s offensive production with her offensive rebounding. Her size also keeps defenders at home and allows the guards to find driving lanes to the hoop. — Merchant
Who Tennessee might rely on now
The Lady Vols don’t have any other true centers on the roster and will have to rely on sophomore forwards Karoline Striplin and Jillian Hollingshead to fill in, neither of whom possess the overwhelming physical advantages of the 6-foot-6 Key. — Merchant
What they’re saying
Harper issued a statement Thursday expressing support for Key.
“My sole concern right now is that Tamari continues to get the medical care and guidance she needs and begins the gradual process of healing and returning to full strength,” Harper said. “This is much bigger than basketball. We are so grateful that this medical condition was caught. Our entire program will be right beside Tamari during this process and welcomes prayers and positive thoughts from Lady Vol Nation and beyond.”
Required reading
(Photo: Bryan Lynn / USA Today)
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