(Photo: Tyler Rittenhouse/WCSN)
After suffering a season-ending injury just nine games into ASU’s 2017-2018 season, guard Sabrina Haines announced on Monday that she will transfer away from the Sun Devils.
In a statement posted on her Twitter profile, Haines thanked the ASU coaching staff and her teammates before announcing her decision to transfer.
— Sabrina Haines (@sabrinahaines) May 8, 2018
“I’ve had some incredible experiences at ASU that I will never forget,” Haines said. “With that being said, I have decided to transfer from Arizona State to pursue new opportunities.”
Haines tore her ACL during a contest with UC Riverside on December 8, the ninth game of ASU’s 2017-2018 season. Prior to her injury, Haines averaged 10.2 points per game on 40.3 percent shooting as ASU’s starting point guard.
Her injury was expected to bring down a Sun Devil squad that entered the season looking for a fifth straight NCAA Tournament berth. However, ASU didn’t skip a beat, going 12-9 to close out the regular season before an impressive showing in the Pac-12 and NCAA Tournaments.
In Haines’ absence, Reili Richardson and Kiara Russell filled in admirably at the point guard slot. The duo finished the year ranked first and second respectively in the Pac-12 for assist to turnover ratio.
ASU also adds two recruits to its backcourt this Fall, including 5-foot-9 guard Jamie Loera and 5-foot-10 guard Taya Hanson.
However, even while injured, Haines remained on the ASU’s bench throughout conference and postseason play. Likewise, she still continued her tradition of dancing at the center of ASU’s pregame huddles.
“You are all incredible people and players,” Haines said about her teammates. “I will always have love for you guys.”
