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Four weeks have passed since Wisconsin's Laci Steele rejoined practice following a lengthy absence due to hamstring and ankle problems. That marked a major step in her comeback, but the 5-foot-11 guard's journey back to her previous level has extended into the early portion of the season.
Badgers head coach Robin Pingeton noted that Steele was sidelined for the entire summer and into the fall. "She hasn't been back really all that long," Pingeton said, emphasizing the significant time lost for a college basketball player.
Injuries have defined the Badgers' offseason and preseason. Four players have yet to suit up this season, including senior guard Kyrah Daniels, who has been out the entire offseason while recovering from a torn ligament in her right foot. Those absences have heightened the importance of Steele's return.
Last season, Steele contributed in multiple ways—as a ball handler, defensive specialist, and 3-point shooter. A key part of regaining that form is getting her legs back, and her most meaningful progress has come during Wisconsin's first three games at the Kohl Center, where she has averaged 20.3 minutes per contest to help the Badgers start 3-0.
"Game speed, reps is what helps with that," Steele said. "I feel like Coach P does a great job, especially in these early games, of letting us all play together—we have balanced minutes—so definitely just doing it more, I feel like helps and I feel like I'm starting to get my groove."
Steele's most productive outing came in a 97-46 victory over Grambling State on Nov. 8, when she recorded season highs in points (10), rebounds (eight), and minutes (24). However, her rust has been most evident in her 3-point shooting. A career 35% shooter from beyond the arc entering the season, she has made just 2 of 14 attempts (14%) so far. That game was also her most active in terms of shot volume; she went 4 for 12 overall and 2 for 9 from deep while adding two assists and two steals.
Steele and the Badgers play their fourth game on Nov. 11 against Delaware at the Kohl Center (6:30 p.m. tipoff). "The most challenging thing I think is just getting back into shape," Steele said. "I feel like that's one of the things most people who are getting back from injury struggle with. I think that has been just one of my goals is to get in the best shape I can, which will help with the shooting. It'll help with the defense."
Steele, who spent her first two seasons at North Carolina State, was the first player to commit to Pingeton at Wisconsin. She started 23 of 34 games last season, averaging 23.1 minutes, six points, and 3.4 rebounds per game. Daniels is the only returner who played more minutes.
How Steele fits into the rotation this season remains to be determined, but Pingeton, who recruited Steele out of high school, believes she will find her niche as she rounds into form. "She's got dawg in her," Pingeton said. "She loves to compete. There's nobody that's going to be harder on Laci than Laci. She expects a lot out of herself, but as her conditioning comes back, everything else will fall into place for her."
Originally reported by yahoo.