Kristen Scheffler Will Not Return to Wyoming Cowgirl Basketball [AUDIO]

Persistent back injuries have brought Kristen Scheffler's basketball career to an end. University of Wyoming head women's basketball coach Joe Legerski made the announcement Monday afternoon.

The 5'10" guard from Lovell, Wyo. averaged 8.6 points and two boards in her first two years with the Cowgirls. She played six games in the 2010-11 season while recovering from back surgery and averaged only 4.8 points and 1.8 rebounds before sitting out the year to be granted with a medical redshirt.

Scheffler was one of few experienced players looking to lead a young Cowgirl team. In addition to the four seniors lost to graduation, in May Bec Campigli made the decision to play professional basketball in her native Australia.

Kristen has done everything possible to return to the court. Unfortunately, her basketball career has been cut short. Her offensive talent is second to none and will be missed on the court.
-Coach Legerski

UW said Scheffler will remain on scholarship at Wyoming to pursue her degree in social science.

Along with the announcement, Legerski made it known that true freshman Fatima Thiam tore her right ACL in pre-season workouts and will not play this season. Thiam is a 6'6" center from Dakar, Senegal and the younger sister of former Cowboy basketball player Djibril Thiam.