Kenzie Hare, a key player for the Iowa State women's basketball team, found her first season coming to an abrupt and premature end. The news came as a shock as Iowa State announced on Wednesday that Hare would miss the rest of the season due to a persistent hip injury despite having exhausted conservative treatment methods. A 5-foot-9 junior guard, Hare will now take a medical redshirt this season. This announcement came just hours before the Cyclones were set to face their in-state rival, Iowa.

Coach's Perspective

Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly expressed his disappointment in the situation. "Kenzie has made an astonishing impact from the very first day," he said in a statement. "It's a bummer for her and our team, but this is undoubtedly the right decision for Kenzie. I have no doubt that she will return stronger than ever and have a significant influence on our team."

Season Statistics

Hare has been a vital part of the team this season, having appeared in all 10 games and making 8 starts. She averaged an impressive 8.3 points per game, along with 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists. Before joining Iowa State, she spent two seasons at Marquette, where she demonstrated her scoring prowess, averaging 14.0 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.1 rebounds. She started 31 out of 32 games as a sophomore and led her team in 3-pointers as a freshman, ranking first in the Big East from beyond the arc.

Expected Role

Hare was anticipated to play a major role for the Cyclones this season with her deadly 3-point shooting ability. Her presence was expected to add a significant offensive dimension to the team. As she looks ahead, Hare remains positive. "Due to my ongoing hip injury, I believe it's best for me and the team if I take a redshirt this year," she said. "I'm excited to support my teammates for the rest of this season and for the next two years as a Cyclone."