No. 3 USC loses Kennedy Smith indefinitely after starting guard has surgery

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California starting guard Kennedy Smith will be sidelined indefinitely after having a surgical procedure.

Her status was announced shortly before the third-ranked Trojans hosted No. 6 Notre Dame on Saturday.

“It just sort of broke her not to be out there today,” USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said.

Freshman Kayleigh Heckel made her first start of the season in Smith’s place. She had six points, four rebounds and five turnovers.

“Kennedy has been incredibly important to us,” Gottlieb said. “She’s the best incoming freshman defensively that I’ve had in my career. She is a big part of the things that we do and we’re thankful that she’ll be back this season.”

Smith, a freshman from nearby Chino, was averaging 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in four games. She last played on Nov. 15 against Santa Clara, with nine points and five steals in the victory.

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