EAST LANSING — There was a sense of relief for Kennedy Blair when she finally checked in and took the court for the Michigan State women’s basketball team last week.
Blair had spent more than a year waiting for the opportunity to share the court with teammates after having her first year in the Spartan program derailed by injuries.
That’s what made last week’s exhibition against Wayne State and Tuesday’s season opener against Oakland significant moments for the redshirt freshman guard as she finally saw college game action.
“It felt awesome,” Blair said. “I hadn’t played in a year and a half so it was nice to finally get out there and actually play with some of my teammates.
“It was great and I felt great and I felt really healthy. That’s all you can ask for.”
Blair, who was originally committed to continue her career at Bowling Green after starring at Dearborn Divine Child, wound up following coach Robyn Fralick and her staff to MSU. She arrived at MSU with a knee injury and then suffered a foot injury that required surgery in November.
“It was just mentally draining, especially as a freshman,” Blair said. “It’s just a lot of growing and learning and I couldn’t even, honestly, do that. I think it was a lot (of growth) off the court, but on the court I missed out on a whole year. I got (the year) back, thank God. Now I feel like that did help me and I worked my butt off this summer to get back into shape and to get back to what I was.”
That work included changing habits, waking up at a strict time and using a strict schedule working with her basketball trainer. Blair worked a lot of time in the gym and was on campus at times she wasn’t required to be and spent time in the weight room with strength coach Claire Sporer.
Through it all, Blair has felt a lot better, faster and stronger.
Blair has made the most of her first few playing opportunities. She scored 11 points off the bench in the exhibition victory over Wayne State. Then she scored 10 points in 14 minutes off the bench in her first official college basketball action in Tuesday’s win over Oakland.
“I’m proud of her,” Fralick said. “She had a season-ending injury and she was out for a long time and she came back in the best shape she’s ever been in and her fitness was in a really good spot. When your fitness is in a good spot, you can get better at basketball. It’s been cool. She’s really evolved from where she was when she first got here.”
MSU standout Julia Ayrault can relate to what Blair has gone through missing an entire season due to injury. She is also proud of Blair’s commitment in working her way back.
“I’m super excited for her and I’m super excited for all of the work and time and things she’s put into it,” Ayrault said. “I know from experience being injured is hard. I think a lot of people don’t really understand when you’re coming back from injury that it’s difficult and you’re trying to work through different things and you’re trying to get your timing back and all the different pieces that go into playing basketball.
“I’m so excited for her because I think she’s a great player and a great person. She’s really worked her tail off through the summer. She had a great summer and I’m excited to see it transitioning onto the court because she deserves it and I think she’s going to be a good piece for our team.”
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Kennedy Blair making most of early chances with MSU women’s basketball
