Georgia Amoore hurts ACL in Mystics training camp

• Washington Mystics first round draft pick Georgia Amoore injures ACL at WNBA training camp
• She is almost certainly out indefinitely and may miss the WNBA season
• Amoore was named an All-American after her outstanding year at the Kentucky Wildcats in NCAAW

Australian point guard and Washington Mystic first round draft pick Georgia Amoore has injured the ACL in her right knee during the WNBA franchise's training camp.

It is a devastating blow for the Ballarat-born Amoore, 24, who was fighting for a spot in the backcourt with former Victorian juniors teammate Jade Melbourne.

On the day she was drafted, Amoore said: "I'm excited to be with the Mystics.

"I've taken every opportunity to make the most of it, so now I'm here.

"For as long as people have called me too short, I've been working on ways to counteract that.

"I think I have a little dog in me and I'm going to keep fighting."

Melbourne, the Canberra Capitals point guard in the WNBL was excited when the Mystics drafted Amoore with the sixth pick.

"We played Vic Country together and now all of a sudden we’re teammates now in America," Melbourne told Code Sports.

"We’ve had to come to the other side of the world to team up again.

"We’ve all been able to watch her make a name for herself, over in the college system so now it’s really exciting that I get to play with her again.

"Georgia will feel right at home.”

Depending on the severity of the injury, Amoore may miss the entirety of the 2025 WBNA season.

Amoore was named a Second-Team All-American by the Associated Press, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and The Sporting News.

All-America Recognition

The 2024-25 season has been a breakthrough campaign for Amoore, culminating in prestigious national recognition from multiple organisations.

Amoore was named to the Second Team All-America by three major news organisations:

• Associated Press (AP) All-America Second Team
• United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-America Second Team
• The Sporting News All-America Second Team

These honours placed her among the top 10 players in all of NCAA women's basketball, a remarkable achievement for an international player.

What is an ACL injury

An ACL tear is a common knee injury, particularly in sports that involve sudden stops, changes in direction, jumping, or pivoting. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is one of the four major ligaments in the knee, and it plays a crucial role in stabilizing the joint by preventing excessive forward movement of the tibia (shinbone) relative to the femur (thighbone).

Causes of an ACL Tear

• Sudden changes in direction (cutting or pivoting)
• Landing awkwardly from a jump
• Sudden stops or deceleration
• Direct impact or collision (e.g., in basketball, football, or soccer)
• Hyperextension of the knee

Symptoms

• A "popping" sound at the moment of injury
• Immediate and severe pain
• Rapid swelling within a few hours
• A feeling of instability or the knee "giving out" during movement
• Limited range of motion and difficulty bearing weight

Diagnosis

• Physical examination (Lachman test, anterior drawer test, pivot shift test)
• MRI scan to confirm ligament damage and assess associated injuries (e.g., meniscus tear, bone bruising)

Treatment Options

1. Non-Surgical Approach (for partial tears or low-demand individuals)
   • Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE)
   • Physical therapy to restore strength and stability
   • Bracing for support
2. Surgical Approach (for complete tears, high-demand athletes, or chronic instability)
   • ACL reconstruction using a graft (patellar tendon, hamstring tendon, or donor tissue)
   • Rehabilitation (typically 6-12 months for full recovery)

Recovery & Rehabilitation

• Phase 1 (0-2 weeks) – Reduce swelling, regain motion, begin light weight-bearing
• Phase 2 (3-6 weeks) – Strengthening exercises, improved mobility
• Phase 3 (6-12 weeks) – Functional training, balance exercises
• Phase 4 (3-6 months) – Sport-specific drills, progressive strengthening
• Return to Sport (6-12 months) – After meeting strength, stability, and performance benchmarks

Prevention

• Strengthening quadriceps, hamstrings, and core muscles
• Neuromuscular training for proper landing and cutting mechanics
• Balance and agility drills
• Wearing proper footwear and bracing when necessary

ACL tears are serious injuries, particularly for basketballers, often requiring extensive rehab to return to full activity.

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