Indiana women’s basketball sophomore guard Valentyna Kadlecova will return to the Czech Republic to play professional basketball, per a statement Monday from Indiana head coach Teri Moren. The Kadan, Czech Republic, native averaged 5.4 points off 35.7% shooting this season.
“Indiana women’s basketball sophomore guard Valentyna Kadlecova informed the program she will return home to the Czech Republic to play professional basketball,” the statement from Moren read. “This was a decision Valentyna made with careful consideration, and we wish her the best in her next chapter.”
Kadlecova’s decision was announced a day after the Hoosiers’ 74-67 win over Eastern Michigan University on Sunday. Kadlecova, who started in 10 of Indiana's 12 games this season, was listed as out in Sunday’s contest. Moren said after the game Kadlecova was out for “personal reasons.”
In the two games Kadlecova did not start, freshman forward Maya Makalusky slotted into the starting lineup for the Hoosiers. Makalusky scored 22 points against the University of Louisiana at Monroe on Dec. 11 and nine points against Eastern Michigan.
The departure of Kadlecova is another blow to the Hoosiers’ depth, which has been an area of concern for Indiana to start the season. Five players, including Kadlecova, have missed at least one contest this season.
The Hoosiers will now prepare for their final nonconference game of the season against Western Carolina University at 1 p.m. Dec. 21 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington.
Follow reporters Savannah Slone (@savrivers06 and srslone@iu.edu) and Max Schneider (maxschn@iu.edu) and columnist Sean McAvoy (@sean_mc07 and semcavoy@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana women’s basketball season.
