Jan. 11, 2008

COLUMBIA – South Carolina women’s basketball coach Susan Walvius announced today that freshman guard Courtney Newton underwent successful surgery to repair an ACL injury in her left knee. The surgery was performed by Dr. Jeffrey Guy this morning at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital. Walvius anticipates Newton will be ready to play at the beginning of the 2008-09 season.

“Courtney really tried to play through the injury and get back this season, but it turned out it was best for her in the long run to have the surgery now,” Walvius said. “She is extremely tough mentally and has a great work ethic, so we are confident that she will come back from this injury and be 100% heading into next season.”

Newton suffered the injury on Nov. 23 against Illinois. After undergoing nearly two months of rehab, the team medical staff determined that surgery was the best option. Prior to the injury, Newton had started four of the Gamecocks’ five games at the point guard position. She scored 4.8 points per game, including a career-outing of 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting against Buffalo. At the time of her injury she led the team in assists at 3.0 per game.