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The Topeka Capital Journal
KU women’s basketball star leaves game in wheelchair, returns to bench
- Story byThe Topeka Capital Journal
- KU women’s basketball star leaves game in wheelchair, returns to bench
Kansas women's basketball star S'Mya Nichols needed the assistance of a wheelchair Saturday, Jan. 17 to exit the court after an injury during the third quarter of a game at Arizona State.
The Jayhawks were trailing 50-36 with nearly five minutes remaining in the quarter. As Nichols was defended by an ASU player, her left foot twisted awkwardly as she stepped on the defender's foot. Nichols immediately fell down, play was stopped as a foul was called, and after she was attended to on the court she was helped off in a wheelchair while looking emotional and covering her face.
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Kansas would go on to lose this Big 12 Conference game, as Arizona State handed the Jayhawks (11-8, 1-6 in Big 12) a 67-51 defeat. Although Nichols did return to the bench later on, she never reentered the game and it's unclear what her status is moving forward. She finished the game with eight points, two assists and a steal.
KU coach Brandon Schneider, beyond detailing he believes it's an ankle injury and not an Achilles injury, did not share much of an update on Nichols postgame.
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"I actually don't yet," Schneider told reporters, when asked for one. "That's something that I will get to as soon as I leave here. When games are over, I have these responsibilities and radio responsibilities and then I'll meet with our medical staff."
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Schneider, asked then about the impact Nichols has had on the team this season, added: "I mean, she's the quarterback, heartbeat of our team, really important piece from a leadership standpoint, and when she's out it's definitely a blow to our team."
This marks four-straight losses in Big 12 play for a Kansas team that's watching its season trend critically in the wrong direction. However long Nichols might be out, her absence — even for a short period — would leave the Jayhawks without their leading junior guard. KU's also had to already deal with injury issues to key players this season, with freshman forward Jaliya Davis missing an extended period of time before returning and sophomore forward Regan Williams doing the same.
Nichols came into this season as an All-Big 12 first team honoree each of her first two seasons at KU. Although Davis came into Saturday's game averaging more points per game than Nichols, it's Nichols who has scored more points than anyone on the team. Nichols also came into the game leading the team in steals and assists and was by far its most prolific free-throw shooter.
Kansas basketball guard S'Mya Nichols (12) goes for a layup as an Iowa State defender guards her in a Big 12 Conference game on Dec. 21, 2025, at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association's sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: KU women's basketball star S'Mya Nichols leaves game in wheelchair
