The Oregon Ducks women’s basketball team received devastating news: senior guard Elisa Mevius will miss the entire 2025-26 season after suffering a major knee injury in a recent game.
The injury not only affects team morale but also shakes the lineup, statistics, and plans for the year ahead. Below, you’ll find all the key details, a table of her stats and the team’s projected impact, and what this means for Oregon’s season.
Injury Details & Initial Impact
In a Nov. 8 game against the Montana Grizzlies, Mevius landed awkwardly late in the fourth quarter and was visibly in pain. She finished the game with 10 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals but couldn’t continue.
The next day the program announced she had torn both the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in her left knee, sidelining her for the remainder of the season.
Mevius was entering the year as a key contributor: in the 2024-25 season she averaged 6.6 points, 3.0 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game over 28 appearances (19 starts). As a senior, she was expected to provide experience, leadership and backcourt stability.
The timing of this injury is tough for the team: the Ducks entered the season with high hopes in the Pac-12 and beyond. Losing a guard who starts, facilitates and defends presents both tactical and emotional challenges.
Stats & Season Projections
| Player | 2024-25 Stats | Projected 2025 Role | Impact of Injury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elisa Mevius (Guard) | PPG: 6.6 • AST: 3.0 • STL: 1.6 | Starting guard, leader in backcourt | Loss of senior guard, experience, perimeter defense |
| Oregon Ducks (Team) | Record: TBD (from previous year) | Depth in guard rotation planned | Requires adjustment of rotation, possible drop in backcourt efficiency |
| Replacement Guard(s) | Incoming soph/junior | Elevated minutes, step-up role | Increased pressure, less experience on floor |
Team and Coaching Reaction
Head coach Kelly Graves acknowledged the devastating nature of the injury but emphasised optimism: “Elisa gave everything for this program,” he said. “We’ll rally around her and adjust our strategy, but she will be deeply missed.”
The team released that Mevius will begin rehab immediately and the program will evaluate her eligibility for a medical hardship redshirt, potentially extending her playing career.
The coaching staff says guard rotation, minutes and role assignments will change. Younger players and transfers will move into larger roles, and the staff plans to increase practice reps for guards to fill the gap.
Emphasis will shift to team defense, guard depth, and floor leadership.
What This Means for the Season
- Backcourt depth: With the loss of the senior guard, the Ducks must rely on less-experienced players. That raises risk of inconsistency.
- Leadership vacuum: Beyond stats, Mevius’s presence as a senior guard provided stability and composure—harder to quantify but equally important.
- Tactical shift: The coaching staff may alter play calling to feature forwards or adjust ball-handling responsibilities.
- Recruiting and future seasons: A medical redshirt could allow her return next year, but in the near term, team morale and on-court chemistry will be tested.
The Oregon Ducks women’s basketball program has taken a significant blow with the loss of Elisa Mevius for the season due to her knee injury.
The impact goes beyond the box score: the guard’s experience, leadership, and presence will be sorely missed. Still, the program’s response matters now—how well they adapt, develop replacements and retain confidence will determine the shape of their season.
For fans and the team alike, it’s a moment of challenge—but also of opportunity to rally and show depth, resilience and long-term commitment to success.