Her freshman year was a trying time for Asia Durr, struggling to recover from pre-season groin surgery. At one point Coach Jeff Walz considered giving her a medical redshirt, the pain so great.
Durr didn’t want any part of it, playing through the hurting. She would start in only two games, averaging more than 22 minutes in 31 of Louisville’s 34 games last season. She would contribute 15 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
Pretty good numbers. But Durr is not just any player.
She was back to old self Sunday, the one considered the No. 1 recruit by many analysts, in the University of Louisville’s 97-50 win over Lindsey Wilson College in an exhibition game at the KFC Yum! Center.
Durr stole a pass at half court shortly after the opening tip off and drove the distance for a layup for the opening basket. She would also connect on four of four 3-point attempts during the first quarter, along with two steals and three rebounds.
Leaving little doubt that this will be a different kind of season for the 5-foot-10 sophomore. She would capture game scoring honors with 19 points, making seven of 10 shots, including five 3-pointers.
Walz was happy to see Durr back at full strength, saying she is a different player. He wants to see taking many more shots, however.
“I’m really excited for her,” he said. “I don’t think 10 shots is enough for her. She’s going to have to figure out a way to get more shots.”
Myisha Hines-Allen, the returning ACC player of the year, was good for 15 points, as was freshman Jazmine Jones. Ciera Johnson, another newcomer, contributed 14 points. Sam Fuehring and Bionca Dunham each had 10 rebounds.
Asia Durr is one of those players, who like her teammate Hines-Allen, makes everybody around her better. The scary thing for the opposition is that UofL is already loaded with more than its share of exceptional talent this season.