With minutes remaining in Kansas’ 72-39 defeat at Kansas State, the outcome all but decided, senior guard Katie Smith entered play for only one minute.

Before seeing any more time, though, Smith, limped off the court with trainers. On Monday, coach Bonnie Henrickson confirmed that Smith, a team captain, had torn her ACL against the Wildcats.

“She tore it drop-stepping,” Henrickson said. “She has to make a family decision whether or not she wants to brace it. We have all the results; there’s no other damage.”

Smith, who scored 17 points in 10 games off the bench this season, earned the Ms. Jayhawk Award the last two years, given to the player who embodies the spirit and vision of the Kansas women’s basketball team. She was also voted a team captain by her teammates.

Henrickson said she’d support Smith’s decision.

“For her, she’ll bring great energy if she’s on the sideline rehabbing,” Henrickson said. “And I’ll support her if she wants to try playing. She has the rest of her life on that knee, that’s the most important thing. But I’m not going to tell her no.”

— — Edited by Tara Smith