EUGENE — Oregon will not have its 6-foot-7 center available on the court this season.
Sedona Prince, a redshirt-freshman who joined the Ducks after transferring from Texas this summer, had her waiver for immediate eligibility and subsequent appeal denied by the NCAA, UO announced Wednesday.
“Although I am deeply saddened by the NCAA’s decision, I am so blessed to be surrounded by my amazing teammates and coaches,” Prince wrote via Twitter Wednesday. "There is no other school in the country I would rather play for, and I can’t express enough gratitude for everything Oregon has done for me.
“Also, know that I will use this as fuel. And continue to grow and get stronger and learn everyday from the best players in the country. I can’t wait to suit up next year and play the game that I love with all my heart.”
The Liberty Hill, Texas, native will continue to practice with Oregon this season as she continues to recover from the leg injury suffered prior to her time at Texas that cost Prince her freshman season.
“I’m really disappointed, mainly for Sedona," Oregon coach Kelyl Graves said. "She is such a great young woman and an awesome part of our team; has really stepped in and become just part of the crew. I feel bad for here because in this sport unfortunately you have to sit out a year (when you transfer). I don’t understand that. I don’t understand there’s 30-someodd sports that the NCAA sponsors and there’s I think us (women’s basketball), football, men’s basketball and maybe one other that you (otherwise) don’t have to sit out. If she was a softball player she could leave today and play tomorrow at the new school. I personally think that needs to change actually. I don’t know why basketball is picked on. For those that think I’m just saying this because she would help our basketball team – she would help our basketball team, but we’re still pretty good. I’m not just saying this because we wanted a great player.
“I just feel bad for her. She’s already sat out a year. She got hurt playing for USA basketball for crying out loud – giving of herself to play for something bigger and then they deny it. I think she had a pretty good case; I won’t go into the particulars of that but if she doesn’t get it then who does? The arbitrary nature with which they (the NCAA) make decisions is what I think frustrates most people. There doesn’t seem any rhyme nor reason. They get to say ‘well you get one and no you don’t and yeah you get one.’ It’s frustrating. I think you either do it for everybody or you don’t do it for anybody.”
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Prince will be a redshirt-sophomore in 2020-21 and will have three years of eligibility to play with the Ducks after sitting out this season.
Several of Prince’s teammates voiced their support for her and frustration with the NCAA’s decision and waiver process.
“It’s sad; it’s always sad, especially knowing what she went through with her injury and the fact that she hasn’t played yet," Sabrina Ionescu said. "We support her regardless of what the NCAA has decided. She’s going to work hard, get healthy, be a good teammate, continuing doing well in school. It’s obviously sad to see someone having to sit out a year. But we have her back as a team and as a staff and as a university.”