During Lady Vols basketball’s ranked road win at Alabama, Tennessee suffered an injury late in the game. Star forward Janiah Barker went down in the fourth quarter and headed to the lockerroom. She never returned to the bench or game after that point.
After the game, Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell was asked if she had any update on Barker’s status. However, she said she wasn’t sure what the injury specifically was at that point. On Wednesday afternoon, Caldwell still did not have an update and said she’d know more later in the day.
Now, her status is official. Barker is out for the game, with every other Tennessee player available. For Kentucky, Teonni Key, the younger sister of former Lady Vol Tamari Key, is out.
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On the year, Barker has played in 16 games and started in 11. She is averaging 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks per game on an average of 23.3 minutes per outing. From the field, she is shooting 47.0% and 31.1% from range.
Barker is considered a potential first-round WNBA draft pick after this season. She is a true senior after playing a pair of seasons at Texas A&M and one at UCLA. She will be out of eligibility following the season.
Tip-off against Kentucky on Thursday night is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET in Food City Center. The game will air on SEC Network.
Tennessee currently sits at 13-3 (5-0 SEC) on the year. The Lady Vols are 7-0 at home, but the Wildcats will be by far their biggest challenge yet in Knoxville. UT is going to need a much better effort this year, as well, after going on the road to Lexington and losing 82-58 a year ago.
