It was a devastating moment for LaGrange College's Jada Brown.
During the final game of the 2021-2022 season, LaGrange College's women's basketball team was trailing late against Piedmont in the USA South tournament.
The Panthers were running the clock out when Brown, an outstanding senior guard, felt her right knee buckle, and she fell to the floor in pain.
"It was the last two seconds," Brown said. "I was like, is this really happening to me? I was already having knee issues beforehand. It just gave out. I was done."
Brown believed the injury was serious, and she was right.
Brown suffered a torn ACL and a torn meniscus in her right knee, and she had two full reconstructive surgeries.
Despite the severity of the injury, and knowing how challenging the rehab process could be, Brown was committed to returning to the basketball court, to donning the LaGrange College uniform one last time.
An NCAA ruling gave all student-athletes who were involved in the COVID-impacted 2020-2021 school year an extra year of eligibility
That meant that Brown, despite playing for four seasons, was eligible to return for the 2022-2023 season if she wanted to, and she did.
"We're going to see what happens," said Brown, who helped with head coach Jasen Jonus' youth basketball camp last week. "I'm not 100 percent confident I'm going to play, but the goal is to work toward it. The option is there, but there's a lot to work toward."
Brown arrived at LaGrange College in 2018 after she was named the team MVP following her senior season at Rutland High in Macon.
Brown has been a key contributor since her freshman season, and she averaged 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and one assist per game last season.
After missing seven games with knee soreness, Brown returned to action on Feb. 5 and scored eight points and was 4-of-5 from the field during a thrilling 74-71 home win over Maryville.
Brown continued to play and contribute the remainder of the season, leading up to that fateful moment at the end of a 79-57 loss to Piedmont that ended a successful season.
"I never thought this would happen to me," Brown said. "I've been injured, but never anything this major."
The injury aside, Brown has enjoyed her time as a member of the LaGrange College basketball family, and she's not ready for it to end.
That's welcome news for Jonus, who is heading into his third season as the Panthers' head coach.
"She's going to be a captain," Jonus said. "We've already talked, and she'll be like a player-coach, and she's embracing that role. She's a leader off the court, and on the court."
Jonus not only appreciates Brown's ability as a player, but also her willingness to say whatever is on her mind.
"She's a very blunt person, which I like," Jonus said. "She's not going to sugarcoat it. If we have a bad practice, she'll say it. I need that."
Jonus has also let Brown know that, as frustrating as it has been to deal with the injury, what she has gone through will benefit her down the road
"I see big things in her future," Jonus said. "Like I told her when it happened, this is going to mold her. Five, 10 years from now, she'll realize it made her stronger."
Brown is grateful for the support she has received following the injury.
Brown had to be dependent on others, particularly since undergoing surgery in the spring, and that took some getting used to.
"I've had help from March to now," she said. "Just getting around, going to eat, getting to and from classes. They've all been a part of the process. I've gotten other student-athletes to help me. I don't like asking for help, but they made it a lot easier to make the transition, and I met so many different people."
Brown is also grateful to LaGrange College head athletic trainer Rob Dicks for his assistance during her journey from injury to recovery.
"I spent every day with him," she said. "I did therapy all summer. Rob has been a tremendous help. Mentally, you're not as confident in your abilities. Every day he's pushing me more and more to be a better athlete, to be a better person, to reach for the goals I have for myself."
