Blair Green is out for the season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Senior Blair Green was confident this was going to be a breakout season for her — and coach Kyra Elzy had the same belief.
“Blair Green, I am so proud of the progress that she has made,” Elzy said last week at UK’s Media Day. “I always tease her, always see her fingers moving because she’s always calling for the ball.
“Blair, I promise we are going to get you a shot. But she is shooting the leather of the basketball.”
Now she is not going to be shooting at all.
Green suffered what UK called a “devastating” setback Saturday it was announced she was expected to miss the entire season with a “significant lower-leg” injury suffered in a scrimmage against Eastern Kentucky earlier Saturday.
“This has been an emotional day for our program. Blair, her teammates, and everyone in this program are hurting as we wrap our minds around potentially losing her for the season before it begins,” Elzy said in a news release.
The former Harlan County standout averaged 6.0 points and 20.4 minutes per game last season when she shot 33 percent from 3-point range. Her playing time decreased late in the season even though she started 18 of 27 games but Green did not transfer as many thought she might. Instead, she met with Elzy to find out what more the coach wanted and worked this summer to improve her overall game.
“Blair Green exemplifies what being a Kentucky women’s basketball player is all about,” Elzy’s statement said. “Although it appears we have lost her on the court, her leadership off the court will still have an impact on our team this season.
“We will be here to support her through this and make sure she comes out better on the other side. I ask that Big Blue Nation fills her and her family with love and support right now.”
That should happen because Green is one of UK’s most popular players, or maybe the most popular. She led Harlan County to a regional championship her senior season and was a finalist for Miss Basketball.
Green’s loss not only costs UK one of its most experienced players and best 3-point shooters, but it also severely limits an already thin team. Kentucky has just 10 players, including a recent walk-on addition, as it gets set to open the season Nov. 9 at home against Presbyterian.
Green’s loss means sophomore Treasure Hunt needs to dramatically increase her productivity. Hunt was a five-star signee who was rated higher than current UK All-American Rhyne Howard.
“It was as a tough transition for Treasure last year. But what I love about Treasure, she’s going to continue to work. She understands her role and what we need her to do,” Elzy said. “She is a work in progress. But when the light bulb is on she is a difference-maker for our team.
“We are counting on Treasure. She’s going to make a big difference for us this year. She’s a big body guard that can play the three and four position and she can shoot the 3 people the way some people shoot free throws.”
Now with Green out, Hunt has to make an even bigger difference.
