By Whitney Spencer
Coming off the bench in this season’s first exhibition game was almost like a new experience for redshirt senior center Chauntise Wright. Providing a spark once she entered the game, she drew much attention from the Northern Kentucky University players. At times, Wright was double-teamed, or even triple-teamed, but she still managed to finish with 8 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks. The Cardinals, with the help of Wright, defeated Northern Kentucky, 79-54. For Wright though, there was an even bigger win, in being able to get back on the floor.
Having to sit out last season with a torn ACL, in what would have been her final year of eligibility, Wright was forced to watch her team make history without her. She is now ready to get on the floor, and complete her career here at the University of Louisville.
“It is feeling a lot better than I thought,” said Wright. “Of course, it was hard at the beginning, trying to get my full extension. But since I’ve been playing on it, it’s getting a lot better.”
Bouncing back from such an injury can be tough, and many players would slowly try to work themselves back into the rotation. With multiple players injured, fighting to get healthy, the Cards haven’t had such a luxury. Getting Wright back on the floor is key to developing this team.
Wright will be the unquestioned leader of the team this year. Last year, Candyce Bingham and Angel McCoughtry both shared that distinction, as seniors on the team. With such a young squad, Wright will need to be the vocal leader, to help the team develop the chemistry and skill they will need to meet expectations.
“I’m just trying to lead the team as much as I can, on and off the court,” said Wright. “If I can’t do much for them on the court, well, at least I can teach them stuff off the court.”
After having such a close group last year, and losing two integral parts of that equation, the Cards will need to find that balance again, with the newest members of the team. The lost production of McCoughtry and Bingham will be partly made up with the return of Wright. But she doesn’t believe that she and her veteran teammates will be making up for the losses alone.
“We actually had some freshman really impress us, by stepping up kind of big,” said Wright. “It is actually good for us.”
Though she was able to play and contribute well during the Cards’ exhibition game, Wright still feels she has a way to go before she is completely healthy. Feeling close to 80 percent, Wright knows the importance of the entire team’s health.
“We’re just trying to get everybody healthy,” said Wright. “Other than that, we are just practicing every day, like we’ve been for two years with Coach.”
Despite the recurring health problems among the team, preparing for this season has been no different than the past season for the Cards. Wright has always been in a position to lead, but as the lone senior on the team she now has that responsibility squarely on her shoulders.
Chauntise Wright has the opportunity to be the leader of another successful Cardinal team. With all the young talent around her, Wright is poised to leave her mark at U of L.
