UNC women’s basketball star Alyssa Ustby injured in NC State game. Here’s what we know
UNC women’s basketball may be without one of its stars for a while.
Grad student Alyssa Ustby, a versatile small forward with a penchant for big plays in key moments, left the UNC-N.C. State game Sunday at Carmichael Arena after playing just two minutes, and never returned to the bench. In her brief appearance, Ustby recorded one rebound.
According to a source close to Ustby, she suffered a left knee injury — possibly involving her meniscus or ACL — and is expected to have an MRI as soon as possible to assess the damage.
Her abrupt exit hurt the No. 12 Tar Heels in their game against the Wolfpack on Sunday, but any lengthy absence would be a major blow to UNC, which has come to rely on Ustby’s versatile skill set and leadership.
North Carolina head coach Courtney Banghart said following the Tar Heels’ 66-65 rivalry victory that she did not have any update on the fifth-year player.
“I have not seen her. Literally,” Banghart said. “I have not even seen her face. I know nothing.”
Ustby entered the game leading the team with 11.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. She is the only player in Tar Heel history to record a triple double.
Banghart said it was tough losing Ustby, but it was more difficult not knowing what happened.
“I still don’t,” Banghart said. “I didn’t know if she was coming back (in the) second quarter. Then, they said at halftime that, no, she’s out for the game, and that I knew at least.”
Reniya Kelly led the Tar Heels with 23 points. The sophomore said she also did not know what happened, but when Ustby left the game, the team realized it would have to pick up the slack on the rebounds.
“She’s like a rebounding machine, so I’m like, ‘We gotta rebound the ball, because Alyssa is not in,’” Kelly said. “It was just a realization that she’s a big part of why we win games. She gets so many rebounds and she plays so hard. We missed her dearly, and we are running with her.”
Ustby has been riding a wave of historic success this season. Thursday, she became just the third player in program history to notch 1,200 rebounds, passing the legendary Charlotte Smith for second all-time. With 1,722 career points, Ustby now sits at No. 16 in scoring for North Carolina.
The Rochester, Minnesota, native has also been named a Top 10 candidate for the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year Award for the third consecutive year.
This story was originally published February 16, 2025 at 4:31 PM.
