As Mizzou women’s basketball season dawns, Jordan Frericks embraces role as cheerleader

Upon moving in with three teammates, Missouri senior forward Jordan Frericks found herself as something of an outsider.

Fellow forwards turned roommates Cierra Porter, Bri Porter and Kayla McDowell had each undergone surgery to repair a torn ACL during their basketball careers.

Frericks was a grateful not to be part of the club, but that changed in early October when Frericks suffered a torn ACL as she went in for a routine, uncontested layup during practice.

Now, she’s guarding against feeling like an outsider as the 2016-17 season gets underway.

“I knew that it was something, because I had never felt a pop like that before,” said Frericks, who has led the Tigers in rebounding each of the last three seasons. “My hopes were high that it wasn’t (a torn ACL), but that happens in sports. You’ve just got to live with it ... and now I’m seeing all the positives of it.”

Frericks, who is out for the season after surgery last month, doesn’t plan to disengage as Mizzou opens a new campaign against Abilene Christian at 7 p.m. Friday at Mizzou Arena during the opening round of the Women’s NIT.

“I have never sat out a year of basketball in my life,” Frericks said. “I’m not regretting anything, but I’m just looking forward and excited about this season and playing a different role. This is a role that I was meant to be in at some point, this perspective of being my team’s biggest cheerleader, and that’s what I want to be.”

Frericks has heard stories of players using a year off to improve their basketball IQ by observing the game in a way that’s not possible when playing.

She’s sad that she won’t exit the program with the rest of the Tigers’ seniors — guards Sierra Michaelis, Lianna Doty and Lindsey Cunningham — but she’s also looking forward to the chance to play with Lauren Aldridge.

Frericks, who will redshirt this season, has become close with Aldridge — a transfer from Kansas, who must sit out this season under NCAA rules — and the duo will get the chance to take the floor together, an opportunity that wouldn’t have existed without the injury.

Additionally, Frericks, who was set to graduate with a degree in architecture next December, can spread out her course load and graduate next May instead.

Meanwhile, she lives with a very understanding crew. That crew has helped Frericks manage the days she’s been sore from surgery, with a collective eye toward rehab.

Coach Robin Pingeton, who guided Mizzou to its first NCAA win in 15 seasons last year and aims to build off that 22-win campaign, was disappointed to lose Frericks, who added strength in the weight room and worked on her outside shot during the summer.

“I think she had a chance to be drafted in the WNBA at the end of the season,” Pingeton said. “She just looked as explosive as she’s ever looked.”

Frericks’ injury might require the Tigers to play smaller, especially with Cierra Porter still working back from Lisfranc surgery last spring.

It also puts a greater burden on McDowell, redshirt freshman Hannah Schuchts and guard Amber Smith, who might be pressed into frontcourt action.

“What stands out about Jordan Frericks, it wasn’t necessarily anything fancy,” Pingeton said. “She was just blue collar and had a second-to-none work ethic and just competed. Everyone’s going to have to step up a little bit.”’

This story was originally published November 10, 2016 at 7:10 PM with the headline "As Mizzou women’s basketball season dawns, Jordan Frericks embraces role as cheerleader."