Back Injury Forces Allyssa DeHaan to Postpone Professional Basketball Career

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women’s basketball senior Allyssa DeHaan announced today that she has decided to not pursue any free agent deals with the WNBA. DeHaan, who played in the NCAA Tournament with a herniated disc in her back, will be unable to participate in any preseason training camps and has yet to rule out surgery on her back.

 

“After our season ended, I rested my back, but it never recovered to a point where I thought I would be able to compete,” said DeHaan. “I was unable to attend any pre-draft camps and at this point, I am still not in a condition to compete for a position on a WNBA roster.”

 

DeHaan will return to Michigan State in the Fall to finish up her degree in human biology and graduate in December. Upon graduation, she hopes to play professionally overseas before attending medical school.

 

“I have dedicated so much time over the past four years towards both academics and basketball,” said DeHaan. “I am in a great position to take the MCATs this summer and finish up my education in December. I still want to give playing professionally a try, but this path will help my long-term goal of becoming a doctor.”

 

For her career, DeHaan is fourth all-time at MSU with 1,649 points and 919 rebounds, becoming only one of three Spartans to rank in the top-five in both categories. Earlier this season, DeHaan broke the NCAA Division I blocked shots record and ended her career second all-time with 503. She also set the Michigan State games played record with 136 and ended up third at MSU with 128 starts.

 

“It is disappointing that Allyssa’s back injury will prevent her from playing professional basketball this summer, but with how dedicated she is to her academics, it opens an avenue for her to finish her education,” said Michigan State head coach Suzy Merchant. “Allyssa is a very intelligent young woman and will be successful in whatever she pursues after Michigan State .”