Report: Jinaya Houston won’t return to Iowa women's basketball

IOWA CITY — It appears that Jinaya Houston is leaving the University of Iowa women's basketball program for good.

In a story published in Monday's Quad-City Times, the freshman said that for her happiness, she needs 'to leave the sport and move forward with my life.

'I haven't truly enjoyed the game of basketball for some time but felt the need to continue because I didn't want to disappoint anyone,' Houston wrote in an email to sports editor Matt Coss. 'It has gotten to the point that my lack of love for the game, and still continuing the sport, has made my anxiety level too high and it affected my day-to-day life.'

Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder said Monday she was 'sad we're losing her, but we expected it a little bit. She had stepped away for the last week or two, and we all kind of saw it coming.'

The UI athletic department issued a release Friday, stating that Houston was taking a leave of absence from the Hawkeyes' program to deal with 'personal and health issues.'

Houston was a three-time all-stater at Davenport North, leading the Wildcats to the 2016 state tournament. She posted more than 1,500 points and more than 600 rebounds in her high-school career.

As of 2 p.m. Monday, Houston had not responded to an interview request by The Gazette.

Houston was no longer on the Hawkeyes' online roster Monday. Her departure leaves the team with 10 scholarship players, plus walk-on freshman Zion Sanders.

'When we get in a circle, it's a small circle, but it's a tight circle,' Bluder said. 'I think we have the pieces, but we've got to avoid injuries.'

Bluder said junior point guard Tania Davis is 'about two months further along than we expected' in her rehab from a torn ACL suffered late last season.

'I didn't think we would have her back until Christmas,' Bluder said. 'She's not doing full-court drills, but her half-court is pretty darn good. When we start (practice) Oct. 6, I think she'll be a full-go with a brace.

Bluder said there 'is a chance' Davis will be in uniform for the Hawkeyes' opener Nov. 10 against Quinnipiac in the Hawkeye Challenge.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com