Sammie Puisis Will Miss the Remainder of the 2023-24 Season
Tampa, Fla. Dec. 14, 2023 – South Florida women’s basketball senior guard Sammie Puisis suffered a left knee injury in practice on Wednesday and will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
Puisis was the reigning AAC Newcomer of the Year and a Second-Team All-Conference selection at the conclusion of last season. She entered the 2023-24 campaign with a 2024 Ann Myers-Drysdale watchlist nod and was an AAC Preseason All-Conference First-Team selection.
This past Sunday, Dec. 10, Puisis saw her first start and action of the season against Gardner-Webb, where she added an impressive 21 points, a team-high two steals, a pair of rebounds, and a single assist in 22 minutes of action on Sunday. Her 21 points marked her 43rd game in double-figure points and the 12th20-plus point game of her career.
Puisis averaged 15.5 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per contest last season while starting 33-of-34 games. The Mason, Ohio native put up double-figures in all but five contests and had 11 20-plus point outings. She finished the 2022-23 season with 109 3-point field goals made, the third most in a single season in program history and fifth all-time in the American Athletic Conference. Puisis finished last season ranked fifth nationally in three-point field goals per game (3.21) and total three-pointers made (109).
STATEMENT FROM COACH FERNANDEZ
“Unfortunately, Sammie (Puisis) sustained a lower extremity injury in the pre-season, and she worked extremely hard to get back to joining our program,” said head coach Jose Fernandez. “She looked great in her first game back and injured her knee in a workout on Wednesday. It saddens me that she will not be able to compete for the rest of the 23-24 season. We look forward to Sammie’s rehabilitation and participation next season, as she is one of the best perimeter players in the country.”
STATEMENT FROM SENIOR GUARD SAMMIE PUISIS
“Suffering an ACL injury that will sideline me for the remainder of the season is truly devastating, especially missing the chance to finish alongside my fellow seniors,” said Sammie Puisis “Despite all of this, I’m grateful for the unwavering support, prayers, and love I have received. I trust in the journey God has created for me and I’m confident it will pave the way for a healthy return. I’m fueled by determination to convert this setback into motivation and emerge even stronger next season. Go Bulls!”
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South Florida women’s basketball recorded its 11th 20-win season during the 2022-23 campaign. USF has made 18 postseason tournament appearances and had nine NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez’s 23 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to 11 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship, has won over 450 career games, and is the all-time wins leader in the American Athletic Conference.
In 2022-23, the Bulls had four players recognized by The American for impressive seasons, including Elena Tsineke (AAC Co-Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team), Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu (AAC Co-Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team), Sammie Puisis (AAC Newcomer of the Year, All-Conference Second Team) and Carla Brito (AAC All-Freshman Team).
– #GoBulls –
