Colorado University Athletics
Arielle Roberson To Redshirt 2011-12 Season
BOULDER - University of Colorado freshman forward Arielle Roberson will redshirt the 2011-12 season after undergoing successful surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn labrum in her left hip, head coach Linda Lappe announced today.
Roberson, who has not played this season, will be able to use her regular redshirt season and have all four years of eligibility remaining. She had been working with the CU Sports Medicine staff over the last six weeks with the purpose of trying to play this season, but the treatments weren't working as she had hoped, which led to the decision to have the surgery.
"The treatment we had been trying didn't go as planned, so the decision really made itself," Roberson said. "I look forward to being healthy again...100 percent. I know this year I'm playing a different role than I'm used to, but I've always been a cheerful person. I feel I can help bring positive energy and a spark on the bench, helping to motivate my teammates."
Roberson's recovery period is expected to be 6-to-8 months, which would allow her to be fully healed by the time preseason individual workouts begin for the Buffaloes next fall.
"Although we are disappointed that Arielle won't see time on the court this season, we know she will work hard, have a great attitude, and make a speedy recovery," said Lappe, who missed all but two games of her sophomore season (1999-2000) at Colorado with a knee injury.
"Injuries are never ideal but I believe there can always be something positive that comes of them. She will be a huge asset on the bench and will really have a chance to study the game from a coach's perspective in hopes that she will be better equipped when she returns next season."
A 2011 graduate of Wagner High School in San Antonio, Roberson was a Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) and Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) All-State pick as a senior. She averaged 18.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, three steals and two blocks per game in 2011 while guiding Wagner to a 32-7 record, advancing to the semifinals of the Texas 5A State Tournament. Roberson was a two-time member of the San Antonio Express-News All-City Super Team and finished her career at Wagner with 1,640 points.
Colorado, 7-0 and off to its best start since 1993-94, hosts the University of Denver tonight at 7 p.m. at the Coors Events Center. The game will be televised on ROOT Sports Rocky Mountain.