Aly has yet to appear in a Stanford uniform. The sophomore missed her freshmen year while rehabbing from a torn ACL as well. C and R were hoping Aly’s mad leaping skills would compliment senior Chiney Ogwumike’s rebounding, much like Chiney did for her older sister Nneka in Nneka’s senior year.
Toni first sustained a concussion in spring workouts in 2012, reported Palo Alto Online, and sustained a second one vs. the Oregon State game in February, and she missed the remainder of the season.
 Toni Kokenis - Photo by Bob Drebin. |
Oddly, this is not the first Stanford Women’s Basketball star to be forced out of Stanford basketball by concussions. Jamie Caery was told in 2000 she would not be cleared by the Stanford medical staff to play basketball because she had sustained multiple concussions, and getting another one could cause even more harm. That “could” stuck in her craw and she did not want to be done playing the sport she loved. She left Stanford to go play at Texas. Apparently that school was okay with the possibility she might sustain brain damage. Carey finished her college basketball career there and went on to play in the WNBA, and as far as we know, did not get another concussion. She currently coaches basketball. I wonder if Toni will feel that pull to play even though there is now a greater risk for her?
Still, Stanford will miss Toni’s stellar defense, and her speed coupled with her calm at ball handling. The second guard spot is still up for grabs. The rest of the Stanford team is currently practicing for their NCAA-sanctioned once every three-or-four years early Fall trip. It is Italy again, and how can you argue with that? Hope they get some good games in overseas.
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