Season-ending injuries are a team’s worst fear—except maybe career-ending ones. For Clemson Tigers women’s basketball, the 2024-25 season has started with just that: a devastating blow that might see them losing their top 3-point shooter indefinitely. Will their star return, or is this it for her?

According to what journalist Talia Goodman posted on X, Clemson’s top shooter, Mackenzie Kramer, could be facing a career-ending injury right at the outset of the 2024-25 season. Goodman’s sources suggest the unthinkable: Kramer might never return to college basketball. This news was further attested by the absence of the senior guard’s profile from the roster on the Clemson Tigers women’s basketball website.

Kramer, who joined Clemson in the 2023-24 season, quickly became the Tigers’ top 3-point shooter, boasting a solid 36% accuracy from beyond the arc and averaging 9 points per game. Her previous seasons were even more impressive—shooting 42.7% in 2022-23 and 40.3% in 2021-22, with scoring averages of 17 and 15 points per game, respectively.

For the Clemson Tigers, a team still chasing after its first Final Four appearance, the potential loss of Mackenzie Kramer is a major blow just as the season kicks off. Like many programs, Clemson tapped into the transfer portal to strengthen their roster, bringing in standout players like Kramer, Maddie Cluse, and several other recruits, aiming to elevate their championship hopes. Yet, despite these efforts, the Tigers have been plagued by injuries—a challenge that threatens to derail their season before it even begins.

A game of endurance: Why proactive injury care starts long before the D1 spotlight

Kramer is not the first, but unfortunately, devastating injuries are a staple in the D1 circuit. Hence, it’s of utmost importance for athletes at the school level to take care of themselves proactively. Geno Auriemma, one of the NCAA’s top coaches, seconded this notion and recently shared his perspective on the issue in an interview with FOX61 Sports Director Jonah Karp.

Reflecting on the recurring injuries his team faces, he noted, “They’re not rehabbed the way they need to be rehabbed. So now, all of a sudden, they come here, and they’re already damaged. And now you have to manage that damaged situation. How do we go and fix that at the high school level?” Auriemma emphasized the importance of proactive care by athletes, saying, “I think each player that’s playing high school basketball, that wants a future playing basketball, needs to understand this is all you have,”

This is a lesson every aspiring athlete should take to heart. Proactive care in high school and college isn’t nearly as rigorous as in the WNBA, where resources are abundant, and injury prevention is a top priority. This is why developing rehab and injury prevention routines is essential for young players dreaming big—not just for a successful season but for a long-lasting career.

As Coach Geno said, “You have your body, and you need to learn to take care of it.“. His words are especially true for athletes who are required to push their minds and bodies to the limit in pursuit of greatness. 

Hopefully, Mackenzie Kramer’s injury won’t mark the end of her career. However, with injuries common in college basketball, players must take injury prevention seriously, strengthening both body and resilience for the challenges ahead.