No. 3 USC loses Kennedy Smith indefinitely after starting guard has surgery
No. 3 USC loses Kennedy Smith indefinitely after starting guard has surgery
Southern California guard Kennedy Smith (11) shoots as Santa Clara guard Malia Latu (0), guard Maddie Naro (12) and forward Georgia Grigoropoulou defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Santa Clara guard Maddie Naro (12) shoots as Southern California center Rayah Marshall and Southern California guard Kennedy Smith (11) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Southern California guard Kennedy Smith (11) shoots as Santa Clara guard Malia Latu (0), guard Maddie Naro (12) and forward Georgia Grigoropoulou defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Southern California guard Kennedy Smith (11) shoots as Santa Clara guard Malia Latu (0), guard Maddie Naro (12) and forward Georgia Grigoropoulou defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Santa Clara guard Maddie Naro (12) shoots as Southern California center Rayah Marshall and Southern California guard Kennedy Smith (11) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Santa Clara guard Maddie Naro (12) shoots as Southern California center Rayah Marshall and Southern California guard Kennedy Smith (11) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California starting guard Kennedy Smith will be sidelined indefinitely after having a surgical procedure.
Her status was announced shortly before the third-ranked Trojans hosted No. 6 Notre Dame on Saturday. Freshman Kayleigh Heckel was making her first start of the season in Smith’s place.
USC says Smith is expected to return to competition this season.
The freshman from nearby Chino was averaging 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in four games. She last played on Nov. 15 against Santa Clara, with nine points and five steals in the victory.
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