Photo: Ian Bethune

Caroline Ducharme will not play in UConn’s matchup at Texas on Sunday and remains out indefinitely due to neck spasms. She won’t even travel with the team this weekend, either.

“Don't ask me how long (she’ll be out) because I wish I knew. I don’t think anybody [knows],” Geno Auriemma said Friday. “You don't know how long they're gonna last and we just keep trying and trying and trying. Flying to a game and we're bouncing around, then you get off the plane and everything hurts, everything's bad. I feel terrible for the kid.”

Ducharme has been plagued by ailments brought on by head injuries since her freshman year. She missed five games in 2021-22 after contact to the head in multiple games then sat out the season opener in 2022-23 due to neck stiffness. Just after the new year, Ducharme suffered a concussion in practice and was sidelined for the next 13 contests.

During UConn’s trip to Europe, Ducharme only played in two of the exhibitions because she took a shot to the head in each and sat out the next game as a result.

Prior to the start of the current season, Ducharme detailed the toll all the head injuries have taken on her.

“Doing everyday things, now I have to think about it more, take extra precautions around it,” she said. “The usual things like being in bright lights, loud noises, schoolwork, looking at screens, watching TV. Little things that you don't really even think about.”

Ducharme didn’t play in either of UConn’s games in the Cayman Islands due to the neck spasms. She’s started all four contests she’s appeared in and has averaged 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game.

The Huskies are already without Jana El Alfy (achilles) and Azzi Fudd (ACL) for the season, while Ayanna Patterson (knee) remains sidelined. They’ll take on Texas at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday on ABC.

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Ted Morehouse 3 years ago

I agree that Caroline should red shirt the year. And likely, not okay again. I don’t think it is an encouragement to have her on the bench. I think it is a daily reminder of UCONN’s misfortune, and a signal of “ what might have been.” I think it is time to move on.

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Ted Morehouse 3 years ago

“ not play again “

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Dave Mennen3 years ago

As a UConn WBB long-time fan I hate to see any player injured or unable to play. But also as a parent and grandparent, I am very concerned about Caroline Ducharme continuing to play basketball.

Caroline’s multiple concussions and lingering neck spasms indicate something potentially serious as traumatic brain injury. I beg her parents to intervene and convince Caroline to quit basketball. She can remain on the team and sit on the bench (if the noise or traveling) isn’t a problem to offer encouragement to her teammates. She should also attend practices and do some casual shooting but not more.

Caroline’s health is more important than basketball. Period. Let us hope that wise decisions will be made.

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Walter Kroczak3 years ago

Caroline is about half Aaron Rogers' age: his competitive prospects are better than hers. This lovely girl should hang up her ice pack. W.K.

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Joe Conroy3 years ago

My concern is that Paige plays more minutes than she should at this stage of her recovery. I think its risky if she does.

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Walter Kroczak3 years ago

Yes! If UConn is going nowhere--meaning, no championship--about thirty-two minutes a game should be her limit