Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Countdown to Craziness on October 3, 2025 at 7 p.m.
/
7 p.m.
Women's Basketball
vs Countdown to Craziness
Haley Gorecki
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Full Experience
11/19/2019 6:47:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Perseverance has led Haley Gorecki to her final college season
By Sarah Leggett, Duke Sports Information
DURHAM, N.C.-- Merriam-Webster defines perseverance as "continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure or opposition."
Often times, difficult situations can lead to a negative outlook, but for Duke women's basketball guard Haley Gorecki, that couldn't be more untrue.
"I know everything happens for a reason," she says, "and I wouldn't be in this same situation if I wasn't injured."
Gorecki has been through the ringer with injuries after injuries … after injuries. But she's always persevered and made the best of a bad situation.
Since her freshman year in 2015, the Palatine, Ill., native suffered injuries to both hips, her right shoulder and last year to her right foot, causing her to be sidelined for the entire season as a sophomore (2016) and for part of the season as a redshirt sophomore (2017).
As a rookie, Gorecki saw action in 14 games and averaged 4.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals before her right hip injury. After missing the 2016-17 campaign, Gorecki returned to the floor and burst on the national stage as a redshirt sophomore before getting injured … again.
She played in 23 games and saw 13 starts that included double-digit scoring in seven straight starts as a redshirt freshman and added 20+ points in four of those seven games. She averaged 17.1 points, 5.5 boards, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals over a span of 11 contests, before returning to the sideline in a new role.
"It was definitely challenging but you have to look at it from a positive view," Gorecki said. "You learn so many things off the court being injured as well as on the court. You're more of a coach so it was helpful looking back."
By her redshirt junior year last season, Gorecki was beyond ready to be healthy and return to the court alongside her teammates for a FULL year — and boy was she outstanding.
Gorecki turned in one of the best all-around seasons in Duke history averaging 17.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.6 steals. She became the third Blue Devil to register 500 points, 200 rebounds, 100 assists and 75 steals in a season, joining the elite group of Alana Beard (2001-02, 2002-03) and Monique Currie (2004-05). She also became just the seventh Blue Devil to total over 500 points, 200 rebounds and 100 assists in their first 50 collegiate games (Alana Beard, Lexie Brown, Monique Currie, Rebecca Greenwell, Alexis Jones and Katie Meier).
"It was super exciting to have a healthy year last year," Gorecki commented. "I have been injured almost every year and it was great to play a full season. It obviously wasn't the season that we wanted as a team, but it was nice just to be out there with my teammates."
In the ACC stats, she ranked fifth in the conference in scoring (17.2), tied for second in steals (2.6), 17th in rebounding (7.1), tied 10th in assists (3.9) and second in minutes played (36.0). She also collected eight double-doubles on the season as a redshirt junior and registered the eighth triple-double in Duke history with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Pitt on Feb. 3.
Even though Gorecki was able to be on the court last year, a familiar face in guard Kyra Lambert was still missing.
Lambert tore her left ACL in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore in 2017 and has yet to return to the lineup for the Blue Devils. Despite her inability to help her team to victory, Lambert, much like Gorecki, channeled new duties with the team and helped her fellow teammates along the way in more ways than one.
"Kyra and I were talking the other day about how we haven't gotten to play together," Gorecki said. "One of us was always injured. It's great that we're the same age and we have a different connection. It's nice being able to talk to her and it helps when someone is going through the same thing and getting a different perspective."
Every year, Gorecki has consistently gotten better on and off the court, so there's no telling what the 2019-20 season will bring for this talented guard.
Gorecki says her ultimate goal once her final season in Durham concludes is to play in the WNBA and overseas. But first, there is some business to take care of at Duke.
"Just being here from summer and throughout the preseason and seeing the progress we've made is crazy," Gorecki said. "The freshmen bring something super unique that will benefit us this season. We're clicking and we look really good out on the court."
2019-20 is a brand-new season for the Blue Devils and Gorecki says the squad must take it day-by-day and set both team and individual goals.
"The injuries over the years and last season were challenging, but I like to take on challenging roles," Gorecki said. "Being an actual senior last year and having a leadership role was a big thing for me. It wasn't hard. The season wasn't great, but it was a good season. We didn't get a lot of wins, but the margin wasn't bad."
Duke posted a 15-15 record in 2018-19, with a 6-10 mark in the ACC. The Blue Devils have been forecast to finish seventh in the ACC this year. Gorecki was chosen to the 10-player preseason All-ACC team.
Gorecki's future might not be solidified yet but one thing is for certain: "I couldn't picture myself anywhere but here at Duke."
By Sarah Leggett, Duke Sports Information
DURHAM, N.C.-- Merriam-Webster defines perseverance as "continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure or opposition."
Often times, difficult situations can lead to a negative outlook, but for Duke women's basketball guard Haley Gorecki, that couldn't be more untrue.
"I know everything happens for a reason," she says, "and I wouldn't be in this same situation if I wasn't injured."
Gorecki has been through the ringer with injuries after injuries … after injuries. But she's always persevered and made the best of a bad situation.
Since her freshman year in 2015, the Palatine, Ill., native suffered injuries to both hips, her right shoulder and last year to her right foot, causing her to be sidelined for the entire season as a sophomore (2016) and for part of the season as a redshirt sophomore (2017).
As a rookie, Gorecki saw action in 14 games and averaged 4.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals before her right hip injury. After missing the 2016-17 campaign, Gorecki returned to the floor and burst on the national stage as a redshirt sophomore before getting injured … again.
She played in 23 games and saw 13 starts that included double-digit scoring in seven straight starts as a redshirt freshman and added 20+ points in four of those seven games. She averaged 17.1 points, 5.5 boards, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals over a span of 11 contests, before returning to the sideline in a new role.
"It was definitely challenging but you have to look at it from a positive view," Gorecki said. "You learn so many things off the court being injured as well as on the court. You're more of a coach so it was helpful looking back."
By her redshirt junior year last season, Gorecki was beyond ready to be healthy and return to the court alongside her teammates for a FULL year — and boy was she outstanding.
Gorecki turned in one of the best all-around seasons in Duke history averaging 17.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.6 steals. She became the third Blue Devil to register 500 points, 200 rebounds, 100 assists and 75 steals in a season, joining the elite group of Alana Beard (2001-02, 2002-03) and Monique Currie (2004-05). She also became just the seventh Blue Devil to total over 500 points, 200 rebounds and 100 assists in their first 50 collegiate games (Alana Beard, Lexie Brown, Monique Currie, Rebecca Greenwell, Alexis Jones and Katie Meier).
"It was super exciting to have a healthy year last year," Gorecki commented. "I have been injured almost every year and it was great to play a full season. It obviously wasn't the season that we wanted as a team, but it was nice just to be out there with my teammates."
In the ACC stats, she ranked fifth in the conference in scoring (17.2), tied for second in steals (2.6), 17th in rebounding (7.1), tied 10th in assists (3.9) and second in minutes played (36.0). She also collected eight double-doubles on the season as a redshirt junior and registered the eighth triple-double in Duke history with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Pitt on Feb. 3.
Even though Gorecki was able to be on the court last year, a familiar face in guard Kyra Lambert was still missing.
Lambert tore her left ACL in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore in 2017 and has yet to return to the lineup for the Blue Devils. Despite her inability to help her team to victory, Lambert, much like Gorecki, channeled new duties with the team and helped her fellow teammates along the way in more ways than one.
"Kyra and I were talking the other day about how we haven't gotten to play together," Gorecki said. "One of us was always injured. It's great that we're the same age and we have a different connection. It's nice being able to talk to her and it helps when someone is going through the same thing and getting a different perspective."
Every year, Gorecki has consistently gotten better on and off the court, so there's no telling what the 2019-20 season will bring for this talented guard.
Gorecki says her ultimate goal once her final season in Durham concludes is to play in the WNBA and overseas. But first, there is some business to take care of at Duke.
"Just being here from summer and throughout the preseason and seeing the progress we've made is crazy," Gorecki said. "The freshmen bring something super unique that will benefit us this season. We're clicking and we look really good out on the court."
2019-20 is a brand-new season for the Blue Devils and Gorecki says the squad must take it day-by-day and set both team and individual goals.
"The injuries over the years and last season were challenging, but I like to take on challenging roles," Gorecki said. "Being an actual senior last year and having a leadership role was a big thing for me. It wasn't hard. The season wasn't great, but it was a good season. We didn't get a lot of wins, but the margin wasn't bad."
Duke posted a 15-15 record in 2018-19, with a 6-10 mark in the ACC. The Blue Devils have been forecast to finish seventh in the ACC this year. Gorecki was chosen to the 10-player preseason All-ACC team.
Gorecki's future might not be solidified yet but one thing is for certain: "I couldn't picture myself anywhere but here at Duke."
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballWomen's Basketball Season Ticket Holder Tailgate
Sunday, September 07
Duke WBB: Kara Lawson - 13 Gold Medals. One Standard
Thursday, August 14
Duke WBB Postgame: NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
Sunday, March 30
Duke WBB Postgame: NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen
Friday, March 28
