By Keith Taylor
Special to NKyTribune
Although it’s a moment she will never forget, Janee Thompson has gotten over the fear of injury.
In her first pickup game since breaking her leg in a 68-60 loss at South Carolina last January, Thompson felt at ease and wasn’t afraid to get up and down the court. Even though she wasn’t at full speed, she knew then she was back.
“The first time I was out there and playing five-on-five and getting up and down with my teammates, I was pretty much over it,” she said. “I never really think about it.”
The biggest challenge for Thompson was the grueling rehabilitation schedule that ensued after her boot was removed, clearing a major hurdle in the road to recovery.
“That was the toughest for me mentally,” said Thompson, crediting the support of her teammates, coaches, fans and family as a big motivation during the rehab process. “I’m glad to be back, and I’m glad I overcame all of that. It’s been good.”
The road back for Kentucky guard has been one filled with ups and downs but a rewarding one for the senior, who started the team’s first 17 games last year. She averaged 10.1 points per game and was a key component on both ends of the court before breaking her leg in the closing minutes of the loss to the Gamecocks.
Thompson said she’s not 100 percent, but is “getting there, slowly but surely” and is mentally aware if the progress she is making.
“I’m progressing every day,” Thompson said. “It’s challenging, but I’m doing well, getting better every day and taking it one day at a time. I can tell a difference every day,” Thompson said. “I’m working hard with treatment every day, trying to listen to my body. I’m getting there.”
Kentucky coach Matthew Mitchell likes the way Thomspon is progressing from a “major injury.”
“Anytime you have an injury like that, it’s very difficult to come back from,” he said. “She’s able to practice at a pretty high level. She’s not 100 percent, but she is at a really high functional level right now. She’s not — if we have two practices in a day, she only practices once. There’s some limitations on her as far as volume goes as we work her back in”
Even on a limited practice schedule, the biggest issue for Thompson has been learning the value of patience while on the road to recovery. Thompson is learning when to step on the pedal and when to let off the gas.
“The more I do, the more I want to do,” she said. “I want to do more than my body is allowing me at times, but as the weeks go bye, I’m getting past that and I see myself getting better and better.”
Currently Thompson is on a limited schedule and isn’t going through a full volume of the practice schedule but makes sure she stays on track on and off the court.
“I do as much as I can and go as hard as I can when I am able to,” Thompson said. “When I start to feel a little something, I back off a little bit. I feel; like I’m able to do more and more every day, which is great for me. I’m glad so I can be back out there with my teammates.”
Thompson is eager to begin her senior campaign and wouldn’t mind if the season started sooner rather than later.
“I wish it was today,” she said. “I’m so excited to get back on that court and to play in front of our fans and get back out there with my teammates. I can’t wait.”
Notes
* Mitchell said guard Makayla Epps is making progress from her in-house suspension and is learning to make better choices on and off the court. Mitchell is hopeful the junior guard will return to the lineup on Nov. 15 at Arizona State. Epps was not available during the team’s media day Tuesday.
* Kyvin Goodin-Rogers had her knee scoped last summer but is making progress. “I’m getting back to where I should and I should be good for the season,” she said.
Keith Taylor is a columnist and senior sports reporter who covers UK sports for the NKyTribune