Road to Recovery

By: Trent Padilla

TUSCALOOSA-- In her 73rd straight game starting for the University of Alabama, point guard Jordan Lewis led Alabama to a 64-52 win over the University of Virginia on Dec. 20. Lewis recorded a career-high 25 points in Alabama’s first win of the Florida Sunshine Classic, but after suffering a broken wrist during the game, the junior guard’s streak of starting at Alabama was in jeopardy.

“Don’t take for granted what you have because it can be gone any day now,” Lewis said.

On Jan. 3, just before it’s first conference game of the year against the University of Florida, Alabama announced Lewis would miss the remainder of the season.

Lewis had been a mainstay on Alabama since committing in 2016. She was named the SEC newcomer of the year by the Associated Press as a freshman and was the team leader in minutes as a sophomore.

“Her voice is really special with this team, said Alabama women’s basketball head coach Kristy Curry. “It holds an awful lot of weight and they listen to her.

With the injury to Lewis, Alabama had to rely on two new faces in the program; freshman guard Megan Abrams and junior transfer Cierra Johnson.

“From a coaches perspective

Since Lewis’ absence, Abrams was inserted into the starting lineup and Johnson has been leading the team in minutes, points and assists.

“I really look up to [Jordan Lewis],” said Abrams. “She’s playing my position and like I said she’s been here before so I just try and take in everything she says.” said Abrams

Amidst the injury, Lewis saw the recovery as an opportunity to become a more complete player on and off the court.

“[Watching] from the sideline you can see all the stuff that is going on so just like learning to expand my game and just be more productive and confident,” said Lewis.

Even Curry has seen her point guard evolve during her time away from the game.

“I’ve never seen a kid that’s been injured be like she’s been with her team,” said Curry.

Lewis also used the time off to focus on her academics. As a freshman, Lewis was awarded the Sandral Hullett Award, given to Alabama freshmen with the highest academic standing. She was also named on the SEC Academic Honor Roll as a sophomore.

“[coach Curry] has been very encouraging and very helpful in letting me do the things that I want to do now that I am injured and so I think that’s just going to help in the end,” said Lewis.

Lewis announced she will also use a redshirt option for the 2018-19 season leaving her two years of eligibility at Alabama.

With Lewis returning for two seasons, Curry believe her point guards time away has helped her

Now with Alabama headed into the final stretch of the regular season without Lewis, the junior guard continues to urge her team to just enjoy the ride.

“You don’t get everyday, you don’t know when your last day is so just take advantage of the fact you get to play everyday,” said Lewis.