Janay's Journey to International Basketball After Two ACL Surgeries

As a junior in high school in Chicago, Janay was beginning to receive NCAA Division I basketball scholarships and plan for her future. But mid-season, a collision with a teammate brought those plans into question. As she fell, she felt her knee shift in a way it never had before. 

“My knee went in and out,” she said. “That was my first knee injury ever. I didn’t know what it was.” 

A doctor’s appointment revealed that she had torn her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL is ligament of the knee, crucial in supporting stability, twists and jumps — motions that are essential for basketball. 

“Of course, when I found out, it was devastating,” Janay said. “That was a big recruiting year for me. I was worried that after my injury, no one would want me.” 

Through research, Janay and her family found the Division of Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. There, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Craig Finlayson assured them that with careful surgery and the right physical therapy regimen, Janay would likely be back on the court for her senior year season. 

What is ACL reconstruction surgery?

When the ACL is fully torn, the body cannot heal the ligament on its own. Reconstructive surgery, a procedure to replace the ACL in the knee, is often the only way to restore full mobility. The surgery involves using another tendon from the patient’s body or a graft from a deceased donor to replace and repair the ligament. 

“An ACL tear can be a life-altering injury,” Dr. Finlayson said. “But with surgical techniques specific to the patient’s age and demands as well as dedication to the rehab process, most patients can return to their chosen sport.” 

That reassurance helped Janay see her future in basketball come back into focus. 

“Dr. Finlayson always had a positive energy every time I came to an appointment,” Janay said. “It made me more hopeful.” 

The Recovery Playbook

After a successful surgery, Lurie Children’s physical therapy team created a comprehensive rehabilitation plan to get Janay back in the game. Janay’s father, who works as a strength and conditioning coach, helped her maintain strengthening exercises at home. 

“I was back on the court shooting in six months,” she said. “I felt strong and good, with very little soreness after my basketball workouts.” 

After eight months of recovery and hard work, Janay was cleared to fully return to basketball. She came back for a “monster” senior year and earned a full ride basketball scholarship to Daytona State College. 

“I was averaging around 25 points a game,” she said.  

Photo by Nick Sutton / Kinetic Stills

Perseverance in Play: Overcoming a Second ACL Injury

Janay knew that the chances of tearing her other ACL were significant. Tearing one ACL increases the chances of tearing the other — and for women, the odds are even higher. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, women in basketball are 3.5 times more likely to tear their ACL than men in the same sport. This is likely due to a combination of anatomical, hormonal and neuromuscular factors. 

Just three months into her first college season, while backpedaling down the court, Janay ruptured her other ACL.  

“I wanted no one else to touch my knee except Dr. Finlayson and his team,” she said. 

After a second surgery at Lurie Children’s in 2020, Janay discovered a whole new level of resilience. Her second season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gyms shut down, and she began doing her physical therapy exercises at home.  

“It was hard and mentally draining trying to attend online classes and train at home,” she said. “My family support, along with Dr. Finlayson and his staff, comforted and pushed me through this strange time.” 

Shooting for Her Dreams

Post-pandemic, Janay emerged stronger than ever. She continued her basketball career at Norfolk State University and Longwood University in Virginia, earning full Division I scholarships at both institutions. After graduation, she set her sights on achieving her lifelong dream of playing professional basketball overseas. 

In 2025, that dream came true. Janay was drafted to play internationally in France for FC Mulhouse. 

“It was all made possible by the staff at Lurie Children’s, specifically Dr. Finlayson and his entire orthopedic team,” she said. “If you have an injured child who requires orthopedic services, they are the best team anywhere. I can personally vouch for them twice.” 

The Next Chapter

Janay is currently back in physical therapy for an Achilles tear she suffered on the court in France. This time around, she knows she can overcome anything she sets her mind to. 

When asked what she would say to other young athletes that might be facing similar journeys, Janay focused on the importance of mental health. 

“For a lot of people that play sports, it’s all they really know,” she said. “One of the things that helped was just appreciating life outside of the sport. Find things that keep you happy — really find yourself — and know that the sport doesn't make you who you are.”  

For Janay, that meant cherishing quality time with family, whose support motivates her every day in both basketball and beyond. In the future, she hopes to again play overseas or potentially in the newly established UpShot league here in the U.S. But more than anything, she is focused on getting well. 

“For me personally, I’ve been through some of the worst sports injuries there are,” she said. “Don’t let the injury overtake your mental mindset. Keep your head up, keep working and you'll be back 10 times stronger working with Lurie Children’s.” 

Learn more about Pediatric Sports Medicine