Mohammed Suffers Knee Injury

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Oct. 5, 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia women’s basketball junior Aisha Mohammed (Lagos, Nigeria) has torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left leg and will seek a medical redshirt for the 2006-07 season, the 6-3 left-handed center announced on Thursday.

Mohammed suffered the season-ending injury against Senegal at the World Championship last month in Brazil where she played for Nigeria. She is expected to have corrective surgery on Thursday afternoon.

“I would like to return later this season,” Mohammed said. “If I can come back, fine. If not, I’ll be ready to go next year.”

One of the top junior college players in the nation, the All-American averaged 22 points, 11 rebounds while shooting 70 percent from the field as a sophomore last season at Central Arizona College. Named the national tournament MVP, Mohammed helped defending national champion Central Arizona to a perfect 28-0 record in the regular season and No. 1 NJCAA national ranking. The squad advanced to the 2006 national semifinals. Mohammed was named a first-team Kodak/WBCA All-American in 2006.

In international play, Mohammed played for Nigeria in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, and at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Brazil.

“We are very sorry that Aisha will not be able to compete with us this year, but she is a still a valuable member of our team,” head coach Debbie Ryan said. “We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to her return next season.”

The Cavaliers open the 2006-07 season at Rhode Island on Friday, Nov. 10. UVa’s home opener is set for Sunday, Nov. 12 with Old Dominion at 1:30 p.m. at John Paul Jones Arena.