WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina

WBB: Injury forces Heels' Miller to end playing career

Jan 29, 2009

North Carolina senior guard Alex Miller, after collaborating with her family and the Tar Heel sports medicine staff, has decided to end her playing career effective immediately. Miller, who suffered a torn patellar tendon in a game against Coppin State on Nov. 16, 2007, underwent an extensive rehabilitation process and returned to play in 18 games in 2008-09.

"I had to think about my life after basketball," Miller said. "I talked to my family and our athletic trainer, Terri Jo (Rucinski), and we decided that it would be better to go ahead and end my season now than to keep going through the pain. I will still be around to support my teammates with whatever they need, but everyone agreed that this was the best decision for me to make."

The injury, which resulted in a complete rupture of the tendon, is considered more severe than a torn ACL and rarely sees athletes return from it for any length of time.

"It was the worst injury I think I've ever seen in all my years of coaching," head coach Sylvia Hatchell said. "And for her to go through rehab and come back and play again was truly amazing. Alex was the ultimate team player. For her to be out there throwing her body around and taking charges and doing anything she could to make us better was a real inspiration for this team. We are all very sad that her career is ending like this, but we know it's what is best for her in the long run."

Miller will remain with the team through the end of the 2008-09 season, acting as a student assistant.

The Durham, N.C., product played in 113 career games and was a part of four ACC championship teams. She ends her career with 480 points, 181 assists, 165 rebounds and 125 steals.