Rachel Banham Injury Update, what happened to Rachel Banham?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Jul 21, 2023
Who is Rachel Banham?
Rachel Banham is an esteemed American professional basketball player, proudly representing the Minnesota Lynx in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Her journey in the league began when she was drafted as the 4th overall pick by the Connecticut Sun in the 2016 WNBA draft. Prior to her professional career, Banham showcased her talents as a guard for the Minnesota Golden Gophers women's basketball team, setting numerous team records.
In her senior season, she displayed remarkable skills, averaging an impressive 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Her exceptional performance earned her well-deserved titles, including the Big Ten Player of the Year and the National Player of the Year by the Associated Press.
Transitioning to the WNBA, Banham's abilities didn't go unnoticed, and she proved to be a consistent and effective scorer, renowned for her remarkable long-range shooting. After four successful seasons with the Connecticut Sun, she joined the Minnesota Lynx in 2020 through a trade. Off the court, Banham's compassion and dedication shine through her philanthropic work.
Engaging in various charitable initiatives, she has been actively supporting the Special Olympics and advocating for mental health awareness. Her unwavering commitment to her community led to her receiving the WNBA Community Assist Award in 2021.
With the Minnesota Lynx, Banham's impact continued to grow. In her first season with the team, she demonstrated her versatility as a guard, averaging 6.9 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 rebounds per game. Her standout performance against the Indiana Fever on September 12, where she scored an impressive 29 points and 10 assists, showcased her exceptional talent.
Banham's role on the team expanded, solidifying her position as a valuable asset to the Minnesota Lynx. Starting in 24 games, she contributed significantly, with averages of 10.1 points, 2.9 assists, and 1.7 rebounds per game. Her impressive shooting percentages of 40.8% from the field and 35.9% from beyond the arc further exemplified her impact.
Rachel Banham Injury Update
The Minnesota Lynx are facing more challenges this season as the injury bug continues to bite, impacting a crucial contributor coming off the bench. In a recent announcement on Thursday, the Lynx revealed that guard Rachel Banham will be sidelined due to a right thumb fracture sustained during a game against the Las Vegas Aces on July 9.
Following consultations with hand surgeon Sanjeev Kakar, MD, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, it was determined that Banham's injury won't require surgery. Instead, a non-operative plan of care has been devised, and her progress will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks, as confirmed by the team.
Banham's injury occurred on July 9, and despite her efforts to play through it on July 12, Lynx Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve decided to place her on the inactive list after imaging tests conducted by the Lynx training team.
Prior to Tuesday's game against the Dream, it was reported that Banham is expected to miss 3-4 weeks while being in a cast on her shooting hand as part of her recovery process.
The eighth WNBA season, fourth with Minnesota, has seen Banham's contribution in 20 games, averaging 5.5 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 rebounds over 14.5 minutes off the bench. The Lynx will undoubtedly miss her offensive prowess, particularly her impressive 36.8% shooting from beyond the arc, which leads the team. Before her injury, Banham had been showcasing some of her best basketball of the season, averaging 8.4 points and 3.4 assists over 15 minutes in her last five games.
Adding to the roster's injury woes, Minnesota native Jessica Shepard (non-COVID illness) and Aerial Powers (ankle) are also currently listed as injured or inactive players. However, there's hope for Powers' return, as she has been upgraded to probable and is likely to rejoin the rotation soon, possibly as early as Thursday against the Los Angeles Sparks.
What Happened To Rachel Banham?
The Minnesota Lynx released an injury report today, providing updates on guard Rachel Banham, who suffered a right-hand injury during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on July 9.
Following a surgical consultation with hand surgeon Sanjeev Kakar, MD, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, it was confirmed that Banham has a right thumb fracture. Fortunately, the plan of care doesn't require surgery and will be treated non-operatively. Her progress will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks, with further updates to follow. In the first 20 games of the season, Banham has showcased her skills, averaging 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 14.5 minutes per game.
In other Lynx news, the team had a strong start to the series, winning the first three meetings against their opponents by five, five, and six points, respectively. Napheesa Collier has been a standout performer, leading the Lynx with 35 points in the recent game against Atlanta. Notably, she has averaged 25 points in matches against the Sparks this season.
The team also welcomed back Tiffany Mitchell after she recovered from a wrist injury, contributing two points in 17 minutes during her return. On the injury front, Jessica Shepard is currently out due to illness, while Aerial Powers, who was dealing with an ankle injury, was activated for the game. Additionally, the Lynx made adjustments to their roster by releasing guard Kayana Taylor from her hardship contract.
Rachel Banham Career
Rachel Banham's basketball career began at Lakeville North High School in Minnesota, where she was a standout player. She then went on to attend the University of Minnesota, where she had a decorated college career.
During her freshman year with the Golden Gophers, Banham impressed with her scoring ability, averaging 16.1 points per game. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and also earned a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team. In her sophomore year, Banham continued to improve, averaging 21.0 points per game and earning her second consecutive All-Big Ten First Team selection.
By the time she was a senior, Banham had become one of the most accomplished players in the history of the Big Ten Conference. She finished her college career with a record-breaking 3,093 points, surpassing the previous record set by former Ohio State star Jantel Lavender. In addition to her scoring prowess, Banham was also a skilled playmaker, finishing her career with 460 assists and 232 steals.
Banham's success in college earned her a high draft selection in the 2016 WNBA Draft. She was selected fourth overall by the Connecticut Sun, where she played for four seasons before being traded to the Minnesota Lynx in 2020. In the WNBA, Banham has continued to showcase her scoring ability, averaging double digits in points per game.
In addition to her WNBA career, Banham has also represented the United States in international competitions. She was a member of the gold medal-winning US team at the 2013 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and also played for the US in the 2015 World University Games.
Rachel Banham has had an impressive basketball career, both in college and in the WNBA, and has become one of the most accomplished players to come out of the Big Ten Conference.
Rachel Banham Injury Update - FAQs
The latest injury update on Rachel Banham is that she suffered a right-hand injury during the game against the Las Vegas Aces on July 9.
No, Rachel Banham's injury, diagnosed as a right thumb fracture, won't require surgery, as confirmed after a surgical consultation with hand surgeon Sanjeev Kakar, MD, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Rachel Banham's right thumb fracture will be treated non-operatively, according to the plan of care devised by her and the surgeon.
Rachel Banham's progress will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks, as mentioned by the team.
In the first 20 games of the season, Rachel Banham has averaged 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 14.5 minutes per game.