June 5, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State freshman forward Kenyatta Shelton will undergo off-season knee surgery Wednesday after officially learning of a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left leg. ISU's athletic training staff scheduled the procedure after receiving the results of Shelton's MRI, which was conducted last Thursday.
Shelton injured her knee on May 22 during a pick-up game at the Horton Field House North Gym. She will face a standard six-month rehabilitation period following the surgery.
Head coach Robin Pingeton was disappointed with the temporary loss of Shelton, but praised her toughness and competitiveness, which she believes will translate over to the rehab process.
"We are very disappointed," said Pingeton. "You never wish this kind of injury on anyone. However, I believe through this surgery, Kenyatta will come back stronger than ever. She is a very tough young lady and a hard nosed competitor. I know she will work very hard on her rehab. We are going to do everything in our power to expedite her recovery and get her back on the court as soon as possible."
Shelton appeared in 26 games last season, logging 17 starts. She averaged 9.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game en route to being named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman team. The Chicago native had five double-doubles in the first 15 games of the season, and was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week three times before being forced to sit out seven league contests due to multiple stress fractures in her left foot.
