WBB’s Kayla McPherson To Retire From Basketball

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – After spending the last four years battling injury, redshirt senior Kayla McPherson has made the decision to retire from basketball and will remain with the Tar Heels as a student assistant.

"Wearing the UNC jersey has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Being part of such an amazing program has truly been a blessing, and I will forever cherish the memories made here. To the fans in Carmichael, thank you for your endless love and energy," said McPherson. "To Coach Banghart and the staff, my mom and dad, my family, the athletic staff, my teammates over the last couple of years, and everyone who has supported me and stood by me during my college career: thank you from the bottom of my heart."

"This journey has been filled with challenges, growth, and joy, and I'm grateful for every moment spent playing the sport I love. Though my playing days are coming to a close, I will always be a Tar Heel, and I'm excited to step into a new role for this team and continue giving back to the program that has given me so much. For now, #11 out."

Joining the Tar Heels in 2021 out of Madison County High School and Hull, Ga., the McDonald's All-American redshirted her first year in Chapel Hill while rehabbing an injury sustained in high school.

Finally hitting the court in January of 2023, McPherson made a strong impression by scoring 14 points in her first game at Carmichael in a win over Virginia. After posting a career-high 22 points and six rebounds against Boston College on Feb. 12, McPherson was named the ACC Freshman of the Week. She wrapped her redshirt-freshman campaign averaging 6.8 points per game, making 13 appearances and three starts.

Coming back for her redshirt sophomore year, McPherson appeared in seven games with three starts in November of 2023 before sustaining a season ending knee injury. McPherson scored a season-high 11 points against Kansas State.

Despite missing the 2024-25 campaign, McPherson has remained an integral part of the Tar Heel program as her high-level basketball IQ provides a huge boost to the team. Even though her playing days on the court are ending, another door in McPherson's basketball journey is opening as she will serve as a student assistant this upcoming season.

"Countless surgeries and thousands of hours of rehab and recovery later, it has been a true inspiration to get a front row seat to Kayla's grit, sacrifice, and hope, with her love for the game and her teammates pushing her forward. That said, the time has come where the mortality of Kayla's athletic career will officially be surpassed by the immortality of its spirit," said head coach Courtney Banghart.

"It is time to officially shift roles. We have already benefited from Kayla's dedication to the team, as she has always been a valued and vocal teammate and coach on the sidelines during practice, and a leader and cheerleader to her teammates in the game. As she hangs up her UNC jersey one final time, she does so leaving a lasting legacy that she made us better, every step of her journey and she will continue to do so in this meaningful way."

Players Mentioned

Kayla McPherson

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