Coaches typically demand 100 percent effort from their players.
That’s not the problem for LSU senior guard Jeanne Kenney, who has made a name for herself since arriving at LSU by sacrificing her body on the court and playing through injury.
Last season alone, she suffered injuries to her knee, shin, head and foot, and still managed to play in all but two of the Lady Tigers’ contests.
The high quantity of injuries she has sustained throughout her career — which includes three concussions — has forced LSU coach Nikki Caldwell to request she reign it in a bit during her final season with the Lady Tigers.
“Her role this year is going to consist of her leadership and taking less charges,” Caldwell said.
But it may take a bit of convincing.
“I’ve never gotten hurt taking a charge, which I’m very proud of,” Kenney said.
But Kenney may not have an option if she wants to continue to play, as she suffered the third concussion of her career during preseason practice.
She was quickly cleared to play, and she only missed LSU’s two exhibition games. But the injury looms in the back of her and her teammates’ minds, as another hit to the head might mean the end of her collegiate basketball career.
“Everybody understands that risk, especially me,” Kenney said. “It definitely brings a new thought to how I have to play. It’s going to be different in different situations, like with playing down low because I am relatively short in the [Southeastern Conference], so I’m elbow range.”
Kenney often served as the Lady Tigers’ primary ball distributor last season, which led to many plays driving into the lane.
But she also displayed deadly shooting accuracy on occasion. She had her career performance last season when she lifted LSU past then-No. 7 Kentucky by draining five-of-five from beyond the arc and tallying a career-high 23 points.
Caldwell said she hopes a new rotation will allow Kenney to use this part of her game more often.
“I definitely see Jeanne as being more of a scoring threat for us,” Caldwell said. “Her ability to shoot the basketball — she’s about as pure as they come.”
Ultimately, it’s up to Kenney to decide whether or not she reels in her play to avoid further and possibly more permanent injury.
“It’s about understanding my limitations,” Kenney said. “Being smart is the main thing.”
“It definitely brings a new thought to how I have to play.”