South Carolina fans received an injury update on forward Alicia Tournebize after the No. 1 Gamecocks defeated North Carolina 84-39 in the Ally Tipoff on Sunday, November 8.
Tournebize was unavailable for the contest at Spectrum Center in Charlotte. The 6-foot-7 sophomore was seen wearing a protective boot on her left foot, raising questions about her availability and the nature of the injury.
After the game, head coach Dawn Staley addressed the situation and offered a brief update.
“She’s OK. She sustained a lower-leg injury,” Staley said.
The coach did not disclose when the injury occurred or provide a specific timetable for Tournebize’s return.
The French forward also had limited involvement in South Carolina’s season opener against Maryland in Paris on November 2. She played just three minutes in the Gamecocks’ 101-93 victory, recording one blocked shot and two personal fouls without attempting a field goal.
Tournebize joined South Carolina in December last year and appeared in 20 games during her first season. She averaged 4.0 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, with 0.4 assists.
Her role is expected to expand this season as she enters her first full campaign with the program. At 6-foot-7, she offers considerable size and length in a frontcourt that already has several talented options.
What makes Tournebize particularly interesting is her versatility. Despite possessing the physical dimensions of a traditional center, she moves comfortably around the perimeter and has demonstrated skills more commonly associated with a wing player.
Her athletic ability is also evident above the rim. Although she has yet to record a dunk in an official college game, she previously showcased both one-handed and two-handed dunks during her professional career.
For now, South Carolina will have to manage without her until she is ready to return. Staley’s comments provide some reassurance, but the program has not announced a recovery timeline.
With a demanding schedule ahead, Tournebize’s eventual return could provide another valuable option for the Gamecocks’ frontcourt.
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