Russell continues comeback on Lady Vols’ tour of Italy
Holly Warlick and Mercedes Russell ended each day of the World University Games the same way.
The Tennessee women’s basketball coach and USA assistant rushed to her redshirt sophomore with the same urgent question. “How are your feet?” For the first time in a long time, Russell could tell the truth.
“She said, ‘Absolutely awesome,’ ” Warlick said Monday. “I’m probably more happy for her. For the first time in years and years, she is playing painfree.” It’s showing. After surgery on both feet kept Russell tethered to the Lady Vols’ bench last season, the 6-foot-6 center averaged 13 points and 9.2 rebounds last month to help lead the U.S. to a gold medal in Gwangju, South Korea.
Russell, who says she hasn’t felt this good physically since her foot problems started early in her high school career, hopes to keep an encouraging offseason on track when the Lady Vols leave Wednesday for a three-game, nineday exhibition tour in Italy.
“In (World University Games) training camp, I was kind of iffy and shaky,” Russell said. “Because I hadn’t played in forever. But then I got used to it, and got the hang of it. I was really having a lot of fun.”
Warlick watched from the U.S. bench.
“She’s getting up and down the floor a lot quicker,” Warlick said. “She’s not laboring getting down the floor. She’s a little bit more fluid. Second, she’s stronger. She can take the physical hit a lot more because she is in better condition and her body is physically stronger.”
Compare this to Russell’s freshman season in 2013-14. She averaged 6.3 points, 5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. Not bad for someone who, looking back, felt 50-60 percent healthy.
“It was very frustrating to know I could give some effort but it wasn’t my best,” Russell said. “At times, that got to my head. Well, you know I could probably do better, but my feet are holding me back.”
Russell felt so much better after surgery on her most problematic foot, she decided to have the other fixed as well. She spent countless hours of her recovery time in the weight room, increasing her upper-body strength.
“I feel like I’m ready to go,” Russell said. “I’m ready for the season to start right now.”
Two other Lady Vols are nursing injuries. Warlick said senior forward Bashaara Graves (shoulder) and redshirt sophomore guard Diamond DeShields (shin splints) will not play in Italy. Both will still make the trip.
Warlick expects Graves and DeShields to be fully healthy for the start of the season in November.
Redshirt junior guard Andraya Carter (knee) and redshirt junior forward Jasmine Jones (concussion) are cleared to play in Italy.