Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball versus Virginia on January 15, 2026 at 8 p.m.
/
8 p.m.
Women's Basketball
vs Virginia
Joanne P. McCallie, Kyra Lambert
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Lambert Returns After Two Years Away from Court
11/6/2019 11:45:00 AM | Women's Basketball
By Lily Hiser, Duke Sports Information Student Assistant
DURHAM, N.C.-- Tuesday's game marked many milestones for the 2019-20 women's basketball squad: the first regular game of the season, the first home victory, the first time the three freshmen played in a regulation contest. But for graduate Kyra Lambert, the game marked the first time she had hit the court in almost three years. After a long journey back from several injuries, Lambert was cleared to play on Monday and joined her team in 91-59 victory over High Point University.
"It's been a long time coming," commented Lambert. "Today was amazing and very emotional."
Lambert was first sidelined her sophomore year after suffering an ACL tear in March 2017 during the first round of the NCAA Tournament. She redshirted the 2017-18 season as she worked tirelessly to get her body back to playing condition. Before the 2018-19 season, Lambert suffered another knee injury and was forced to redshirt another year. At the end of this process, Lambert had undergone three surgeries to repair her injuries and countless hours of rehab as she continued to fight to get back on the court.
"I was always determined to get back on the court," explained Lambert. "I think every injury or situation has its ups and downs. But the support of my teammates, coaching staff, athletic medicine staff, they kept on believing in me, kept on talking to me, kept on supporting me through the highs, the lows, my highest moments, my lowest moments."
While Lambert has spent much of the past two years working on her health and her game, she has also been a key bench member and three-time captain for the Blue Devils. Even while on the sidelines, Lambert positively impacted her team as a leader, providing support and suggestions for her teammates. From just observing this season's squad, Lambert gained insights on how to best incorporate her talents into the mix.
"Watching for two years has given me a lot of perspective and chances to observe and see tendencies and see how I can better help my team get wins," stated Lambert.
Lambert was not the only one eagerly awaiting her return. For Coach Joanne P. McCallie, her teammates, and all of the members of the Duke women's basketball program, this day has been one looked forward to by all. Lambert's teammates were excited to have one of their key leaders back on the floor playing with them.
"I woke up this morning very excited, knowing that Kyra was going to be playing and that we all were going to be playing…my last first game," remarked senior Leaonna Odom.
For McCallie, who has been with Lambert through this entire process, the game was the realization of all the behind-the-scenes work that her player has been doing for years. Not only has she seen Lambert's fight and heart in her dedication to get back on the court, but she has also seen Lambert's game and basketball IQ improve.
"From my standpoint, for Kyra, she's been for two weeks of practice looking amazing," commented McCallie. I've told her, 'You're better than you were before, and I know you are in terms of the game because you've watched so much, but just over.'"
Lambert had been out for 962 days, which translates into two years, seven months, and 18 days. The only number that matters for Lambert and her team right now, though? Sixty feet, which is the length of the buzzer-beating, three-point shot Lambert made just minutes after checking into the game.
Next on the docket for Lambert and the squad is a road game at Texas A&M, which is a homecoming for the Cibolo, Texas native. Lambert, who is taking the season game by game, is simply excited to be back on the court with her team after a long injury journey.
"Today was just a culmination of all those emotions in one, so [I'm] just blessed to be here honestly," concluded Lambert.
#GoDuke
Â
Â
DURHAM, N.C.-- Tuesday's game marked many milestones for the 2019-20 women's basketball squad: the first regular game of the season, the first home victory, the first time the three freshmen played in a regulation contest. But for graduate Kyra Lambert, the game marked the first time she had hit the court in almost three years. After a long journey back from several injuries, Lambert was cleared to play on Monday and joined her team in 91-59 victory over High Point University.
"It's been a long time coming," commented Lambert. "Today was amazing and very emotional."
Lambert was first sidelined her sophomore year after suffering an ACL tear in March 2017 during the first round of the NCAA Tournament. She redshirted the 2017-18 season as she worked tirelessly to get her body back to playing condition. Before the 2018-19 season, Lambert suffered another knee injury and was forced to redshirt another year. At the end of this process, Lambert had undergone three surgeries to repair her injuries and countless hours of rehab as she continued to fight to get back on the court.
"I was always determined to get back on the court," explained Lambert. "I think every injury or situation has its ups and downs. But the support of my teammates, coaching staff, athletic medicine staff, they kept on believing in me, kept on talking to me, kept on supporting me through the highs, the lows, my highest moments, my lowest moments."
While Lambert has spent much of the past two years working on her health and her game, she has also been a key bench member and three-time captain for the Blue Devils. Even while on the sidelines, Lambert positively impacted her team as a leader, providing support and suggestions for her teammates. From just observing this season's squad, Lambert gained insights on how to best incorporate her talents into the mix.
"Watching for two years has given me a lot of perspective and chances to observe and see tendencies and see how I can better help my team get wins," stated Lambert.
Lambert was not the only one eagerly awaiting her return. For Coach Joanne P. McCallie, her teammates, and all of the members of the Duke women's basketball program, this day has been one looked forward to by all. Lambert's teammates were excited to have one of their key leaders back on the floor playing with them.
"I woke up this morning very excited, knowing that Kyra was going to be playing and that we all were going to be playing…my last first game," remarked senior Leaonna Odom.
For McCallie, who has been with Lambert through this entire process, the game was the realization of all the behind-the-scenes work that her player has been doing for years. Not only has she seen Lambert's fight and heart in her dedication to get back on the court, but she has also seen Lambert's game and basketball IQ improve.
"From my standpoint, for Kyra, she's been for two weeks of practice looking amazing," commented McCallie. I've told her, 'You're better than you were before, and I know you are in terms of the game because you've watched so much, but just over.'"
Lambert had been out for 962 days, which translates into two years, seven months, and 18 days. The only number that matters for Lambert and her team right now, though? Sixty feet, which is the length of the buzzer-beating, three-point shot Lambert made just minutes after checking into the game.
Next on the docket for Lambert and the squad is a road game at Texas A&M, which is a homecoming for the Cibolo, Texas native. Lambert, who is taking the season game by game, is simply excited to be back on the court with her team after a long injury journey.
"Today was just a culmination of all those emotions in one, so [I'm] just blessed to be here honestly," concluded Lambert.
#GoDuke
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballKara Lawson on Bella Flemings
Monday, November 17
Kara Lawson on Taylor Sofilkanich
Sunday, November 16
Kara Lawson on Sanai Green
Thursday, November 13
Kara Lawson on Autumn Fleary
Wednesday, November 12
