“It was just a really bizarre mishap”: Jen Jensen gives update on Lucy Olsen’s injury status
Iowa coach Jen Jensen has given an update on the injury status of star point guard Lucy Olsen. Olsen was unable to play in the Cancun Challenge games after tripping while leaving the raised court at the Hard Rock Riviera Hotel Maya. The incident resulted in a significant knee injury that required multiple stitches.
Speaking to media on Tuesday ahead of their matchup with Tennessee, Jensen spoke about the injury.
"It was just a really bizarre mishap," Jensen said. "She's practicing, but she's not quite back to herself yet. It was just a pretty tough cut. She's going, I hope it feels a lot better in a couple of days. We have tomorrow off... so it will be good to let it heal a little bit more." Timestamp: 0:57
Watch Jensen's full presser below.
Jensen said she expects Olsen to return Saturday, Dec. 7 when Iowa faces Tennessee in the Champions Classic at Brooklyn's Barclays Center.
"It's more likely than not because she's so tough," Jensen said. "I think we just have to see how it responded with a lot more reps and see what it looks like. I'm optimistic about it, but I'll feel even better when I hear the report that it responded pretty well."
Lucy Olsen's father expects her to return against Tennessee
According to Lucy Olsen's father Roland, the senior guard will be back on the court and ready to take on Tennessee this weekend. In a series of posts on X last Friday, Olsen's dad recounted the story of how the cut happened, and how frustrated Lucy has been.
He then provided an update on her returning to the court to join her team on the weekend.
"Everyone is confident she will be back practicing when they get back to Iowa City tonight and back on the court in Brooklyn vs Tennessee next Saturday." her father wrote.
Hawkeye fans will be delighted to hear their star is okay and won't be out long-term. Although the team won in her absence, Iowa will need Olsen to compete this season. Olsen currently leads the Hawkeyes with 17.3 points and 5.3 assists per game.
Lucy Olsen and the Hawkeyes will look to continue their undefeated 8-0 start when they face Tennessee in Brooklyn on Saturday, Dec. 7.