It looks like Kateri Poole can’t catch a break these days. From being a five-star recruit with a big future to becoming a championship-winning LSU Tigers guard, Poole has always been in the spotlight. Well, at times, for other reasons, too. Just as she was set to turn a fresh page with the University of Houston, news dropped that she’ll be missing the entire 2024-25 season. 

Reports reveal that Poole suffered a left knee injury during a weekend scrimmage. And on Thursday, Houston’s head coach, Ronald Hughey, confirmed the news of her season absence. “We are devastated for Kateri. It’s a huge loss because Kateri has worked so hard, and we were looking forward to having Kateri on the court this season,” he stated.

Through her basketball career, the 21-year-old has proven that she is no ordinary player. This has been evident since her high school days in New York, where she was even named Miss New York. Then, as a freshman at Ohio State, she secured a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman team, averaging 6.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. So while Houston will miss the star, Hughey hopes she returns in all her capacity next season. 

“We will be there to support Kateri every step of the way during the recovery process. We know Kateri will be back stronger than ever next season.” This setback is tough, especially for a player who’s fought through so much just to stay on the court.

At LSU, despite her complicated history, she was crucial, especially in the 2023 NCAA championship run, contributing 4.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. The athlete hit two clutch three-pointers, helping LSU secure the title. But since just before the 2024 off-season, things have been anything but smooth for Poole.

Kateri Poole’s exit from LSU

In the 2023 season, rumors of tension between Kateri Poole and Coach Kim Mulkey started circulating. LSU was 9-1, sitting comfortably in the rankings, but Poole’s absence from the court started to raise questions. Initially, it was all chalked up to the ‘coach’s decision,’ but later the truth came out.

And Poole was officially off the roster. “She’s no longer with us,” the head coach said. It came at a time when already a lot was going on with LSU. Fom Angel Reese’s sudden midseason absences to other injury setbacks, everything looked a bit shady. However, in this age of social media, nothing can be kept hidden for long. In September, Poole took to Instagram Live and laid it all out for her followers.“Truthfully, [Mulkey] said that I sent in a scouting report to another school,” she revealed.

“I ain’t do that sh*t… I was like, ‘What do we do now?’ She said, ‘You’re kicked off.’ I said, ‘Boom, aight.’ She said, ‘No longer on the team.’ I took it, asked if I could still play. She said ‘yep.’ Scholarship, boom, was allowed to transfer. Now, I’m at Houston. Please stop asking me about that sh*t.”

Just like that, the guard’s chapter with the Tigers was closed, and she began her journey at Houston’s for her senior season. She brought the kind of experience Houston sought, and they counted on her not just for scoreboard but also for leadership.

Although it didn’t turn out the way they would have wanted, all we know is she is a fighter. For now, she’ll be watching from the sidelines, but surely make her next shot worth it!