Rachel Banham Injury Update: Minnesota Lynx guard Rachel Banham is dealing with a setback with a fractured right thumb that has kept her out of the team, the talented player will miss valuable playing time due to the injury.
Who is Rachel Banham?
Rachel Banham is a respected American professional basketball player, who proudly represents the Minnesota Lynx in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Her journey in the league began when she was selected 4th overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun. Before her professional career, Banham showed her talent as a point guard for the Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s basketball team, setting numerous team records.
In her senior season, she showed outstanding skills, averaging an impressive 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game. Her outstanding performance earned her well-deserved honors, including Big Ten Player of the Year and Associated Press National Player of the Year.
Moving to the WNBA, Banham’s abilities did not go unnoticed, and she proved to be a consistent and efficient scorer, known for her outstanding long-range shooting. After four successful seasons with the Connecticut Sun, she joined the Minnesota Lynx in 2020 via trade. Off the court, Banhama’s compassion and commitment shine through her philanthropic work.
Engaging in various charitable initiatives, he actively supports the Special Olympics and advocates raising awareness of mental health. Her unwavering commitment to her community led her to receive the 2021 WNBA Community Assist Award.
With the Minnesota Lynx, Banham’s influence continued to grow. In her first season with the team, she showed her versatility as a guard, averaging 6.9 points, 2.4 assists and 1.3 rebounds per game. Her outstanding performance against the Indiana Fever on September 12, where she scored an impressive 29 points and 10 assists, showed her exceptional talent.
Banham’s role on the team has expanded, cementing her position as a valuable asset to the Minnesota Lynx. Starting 24 games, she contributed significantly, averaging 10.1 points, 2.9 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game. Her impressive shooting percentage of 40.8% from the field and 35.9% from beyond the arc further demonstrated her impact.
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Rachel Banham injury update
The Minnesota Lynx face more challenges this season as the injury bug continues to bite, affecting a key player coming off the bench. In a recent statement Thursday, the Lynx revealed that guard Rachel Banham will be sidelined with a fractured right thumb suffered during the July 9 game against the Las Vegas Aces.
After a consultation with hand surgeon Sanjeev Kakar, MD, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, it was determined that Banham’s injury would not require surgery. Instead, a non-operative care plan has been devised and her progress will be reassessed in the coming weeks, the team confirmed.
Banham’s injury occurred on July 9, and despite her efforts to nurse it on July 12, Lynx head coach and president of basketball operations Cheryl Reeve decided to place her on the inactive list following imaging tests conducted by the Lynx training staff.
Ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Dream, it was reported that Banham was expected to be out for 3-4 weeks while in a cast on his ruptured hand as part of the recovery process.
In her eighth WNBA season, her fourth with Minnesota, Banham contributed in 20 games, averaging 5.5 points, 1.9 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 14.5 minutes off the bench. The Lynx will undoubtedly miss her offensive prowess, especially her impressive 36.8% shooting from beyond the arc, which leads the team. Before the injury, Banham was showing some of her best basketball of the season, averaging 8.4 points and 3.4 assists per 15 minutes over the past five games.
Adding to the injury woes on the roster, Minnesota’s Jessica Shepard (non-COVID illness) and Aerial Powers (ankle) are also currently listed as injured or inactive players. However, there is hope for Powers’ return, as he has been upgraded to probable and is likely to rejoin the rotation soon, possibly as early as Thursday against the Los Angeles Sparks.
What happened to Rachel Banham?
The Minnesota Lynx released their injury report today, providing an update on guard Rachel Banham, who suffered a right hand injury during the July 9 game against the Las Vegas Aces.
After a surgical consultation with hand surgeon Sanjeev Kakar, MD, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, it was confirmed that Banham had a fractured right thumb. Fortunately, the care plan does not require surgery and will be treated non-operatively. Her progress will be reassessed in the coming weeks and further updates will follow. In the first 20 games of the season, Banham showed her skills, averaging 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 14.5 minutes per game.
In other Lynx news, the team has had a strong start to the series, winning the first three meetings against their opponents by five, five, and six points, respectively. Napheesa Collier was a standout player, leading the Lynx with 35 points in a recent game against Atlanta. It is significant that she scored an average of 25 points in matches against the Sparks this season.
The team also welcomed back Tiffany Mitchell after recovering from a wrist injury, contributing two points in 17 minutes during her return. In terms of injuries, Jessica Shepard is currently out due to illness, while Aerial Powers, who has been struggling with an ankle injury, has been activated for the match. In addition, the Lynx made adjustments to their roster by releasing guard Kayana Taylor from her hardship contract.
Career of Rachel Banham
Rachel Banham’s basketball career began at Lakeville North High School in Minnesota, where she was a standout player. She then went on to attend the University of Minnesota, where she had a successful college career.
During her first year with the Golden Gophers, Banham impressed with her scoring ability, averaging 16.1 points per game. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and also earned a spot on the All-Big Ten first team. In her sophomore year, Banham continued to improve, averaging 21.0 points per game and earning her second consecutive first-team All-Big Ten selection.
By the time she was a senior, Banham had become one of the most accomplished players in Big Ten Conference history. She finished her college career with a record 3,093 points, surpassing the previous record held by former Ohio State star Jantel Lavender. In addition to her goal-scoring prowess, Banham was also a skilled playmaker, finishing her career with 460 assists and 232 steals.
Banham’s success in college earned her a high draft pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft. She was selected fourth overall by the Connecticut Sun, where she played for four seasons before being traded to the Minnesota Lynx in 2020. In the WNBA, Banham continued to showcase her scoring abilities, averaging double-digit points per game.
In addition to her WNBA career, Banham has also represented the United States in international competition. She was a member of the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and also played for the U.S. at the 2015 World University Games.
Rachel Banham had an impressive basketball career, both in college and in the WNBA, and became one of the most successful players to come out of the Big Ten Conference.
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Categories: General
Source: HIS Education