The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Deanna Jackson Out Six To Eight Weeks With Broken Leg
1/2/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - All-American candidate and the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year Deanna Jackson of the UAB women's basketball team will miss six to eight weeks of play due to a broken fibula she suffered in the Lady Blazers' game against Ball State last Saturday.
Jackson suffered the injury at the 7:14 mark of the first half against Ball State in Florida International's Fun and Sun Classic in Miami, Fla. She was taken to a Miami area hospital for evaluation. She returned home with the team Sunday and was then evaluated by UAB team physician Dr. Bill Garth.
"This is not a bad injury, it is just unfortunate that it occurred right in the middle of the season," said Dr. Garth. "It appears surgery will not be required, but we will re-x-ray the injury in two weeks to be certain. The fibula doesn't support much weight and it should heal just fine. You just hate to see this happen at such an inopportune time, but Deanna should recover well."
The senior from Brewton, Ala. currently leads the nation in scoring (26.2 points per game) and rebounding (12.3 per game). She holds the UAB career record for rebounding with 1,118 and ranks within the top 10 of UAB's career leaders in 16 individual statistical categories. Jackson also ranks within the top 10 in nine career categories in Conference USA. She has posted eight double-doubles, 11 double figure scoring games, eight 20-plus scoring games, four 30-plus scoring games and seven double figure rebounding games this season. Jackson has led the team in scoring in 10 games and rebounding in six games. She also leads the team in field goals made (105), three-point field goals made (11), free throws made (67), points (288), offensive rebounds (53), assists (52), blocks (12) and steals (26).
"This is a big loss and it is extremely disappointing," said UAB Head Coach Jeannie Milling. "It is also extremely disappointing for Deanna because she wanted to continue to help the team succeed. It's just a huge loss. This is something we will just have to deal with and move forward. Obviously, other players will have to step up for us. We have some very, very good players on this team and some of our younger players will have an opportunity to step forward."
UAB (8-5) returns to action Sunday, opening C-USA play against South Florida in Tampa, Fla. at 1 p.m.
