Gophers Standout Sidelined for postseason Amid Lower Body Injury

The Minnesota Women’s Basketball team will be without Mara Braun for the postseason. On Monday, Gophers head coach Dawn Plitzuweit confirmed that the star player will not be returning after missing much of the season.

Plitzuweit also revealed that Braun had sustained the same injury that ended her season last year, fracturing a bone in her right foot. She described the situation as “incredibly challenging” for Mara.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I think this has been really, really tough,” Plitzuweit said, reflecting on the injury. “It’s hard for anyone to grasp how difficult it must be to suffer the same injury and miss back-to-back seasons because of it.” She added, “When you really think about being in that position, it’s just unbelievably challenging.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While the Gophers and Braun discussed the possibility of her returning this season, they ultimately decided against taking any risks with her health. “There was hope,” Plitzuweit said about the potential for a return, “but we probably weren’t counting on it, if that’s a fair way to put it.”

Plitzuweit mentioned that Braun is not currently practicing with the team, though she is still contributing by assisting the coaching staff. Plitzuweit also joked that soon she might just hand Braun the clipboard and tell her to “go.”