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UNC Women’s Basketball: Ariel Young will not return to the court

By Nick Delahanty

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MARCH 22: Hannah Barber #5 of the Alabama Crimson Tide splits defenders Ariel Young #11 and Deja Kelly #25 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on March 22, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MARCH 22: Hannah Barber #5 of the Alabama Crimson Tide splits defenders Ariel Young #11 and Deja Kelly #25 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half in the first round game of the 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at the Alamodome on March 22, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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After dealing with various injuries, UNC women’s basketball player Ariel Young has decided to step away from the sport of basketball.

In unfortunate news for the UNC women’s basketball program, senior Ariel Young has made the decision to not return to the court, thus ending her basketball playing career.

On Monday night, the above social media post was sent out by the UNC women’s basketball Twitter and Instagram accounts, as Young provided some details about her sudden retirement from playing. She cites two recent knee injuries that hampered her ability to come back and play, as she’s ready to pursue other opportunities.

After transferring from Michigan to North Carolina in 2020, Young was a steady contributor off the bench, appearing in all 24 contests the Tar Heels played that season.

However, she has struggled to stay on the court since then, as a preseason knee injury forced her to miss the entire 2021-2022 season, while another injury has limited her to just three games this current season.

Courtney Banghart provided a statement regarding Young’s decision:

"“Ariel has worked so hard to get back on the court and sadly it just isn’t going to happen. When you’ve played basketball your whole life it’s so difficult to see it end, and as a coach it’s excruciating to watch that happen for one of your players. Ariel will absolutely remain just as big a part of our team, and she is adored as she settles into this new role.”"

Young is scheduled to graduate from North Carolina in May but plans on enrolling in the school’s Sports Administration graduate program. She has no intentions of fully leaving the sport, as she stated that she will continue to help the UNC women’s basketball program in any way possible.

The UNC women’s basketball program will honor Young among their three seniors as part of ‘Senior Night’ on Thursday prior to a big ACC matchup with No. 9-ranked Virginia Tech.

Next. Alyssa Ustby set to return on Thursday. dark

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