McCray Remains Positive on Senior Night

March 6, 2010

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

As the cast of five Jayhawk seniors said farewell in their last home game at Allen Fieldhouse, they played on without the star of the show in Danielle McCray. A star who four years ago took a chance on a rebuilding program and has inspired hope for the Kansas women’s basketball program.

McCray, who tore her ACL in early February, finds her name checkered all over the Jayhawk record book including fourth all-time in scoring. McCray was putting together an All-American type season with 19.8 points and 7.2 rebounds a game, before her season ended prematurely.

It is bittersweet for McCray to watch her teammates continue to struggle without her. KU has lost seven of their nine games since McCray’s injury.

“The game was hard to watch because I know that I want to be out there,” McCray said. “I tried to stay strong and encourage my teammates as much as possible, but it just didn’t turn out

The rest of the senior class (Sade Morris, LaChelda Jacobs, Porscha Weddington, and Kelly Kohn) combined for 24 points and nine rebounds Saturday night.

“We will be forever be indebted to the young kids that came here to try and be difference makers for our program and for their families as well,” said head coach Bonnie Henrickson. “That decision isn’t easy when your young.”

McCray’s last home game while still in the lineup came on January 27th, and she ended her Jayhawk home career in fine fashion.

In McCray’s last three home games she poured in 83 points and ripped down 24 rebounds.

There is a good chance that McCray’s legacy will extend far past tonight in Jayhawk basketball history and she may one day find her jersey hanging in the rafters at Allen Fieldhouse.

McCray continues to carry herself with class and wants the seniors to be remembered for how they conducted themselves on and off the court.

“We want to be remembered as loyal and respectful,” said McCray. “We came to this program to help turn it around and I think for the most part we have.”