Gators center Ra Shaya Kyle has established her place among the SEC's top low-post players coming off a season-ending knee injury.
Gainesville, Fla. - Exactly one year ago, Ra Shaya Kyle found herself on the floor at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tenn. The 6-foot-6 center went down early in Florida’s matchup against Vanderbilt. At the time, she was the Gators’ second-leading scorer and top rebounder, a key contributor on both ends of the court and one of the Southeastern Conference’s most dominant interior players.
As she lay on the hardwood, the reality hit hard.
"My season is over," Kyle thought to herself.
Tears followed, a rare sight that deeply affected her teammates.
"She never really cries," UF sophomore guard Laila Reynolds recalled.
The knee injury underscored the demanding nature of competing in one of the nation’s toughest basketball conferences. For Kyle, basketball had always been her outlet and passion, but suddenly the game — and the goals she had set — had to be put on hold. She quickly realized the recovery process would challenge her in ways she had never anticipated.
On Jan. 7, 2024, Ra Shaya Kyle is back in stride, sprinting across the practice floor as Florida (10-6, 1-1) readies for Thursday’s home matchup against No. 16 Kentucky (13-1, 2-0), a team known for its perimeter shooting, inside Exactech Arena.
Now in her fifth year and hailing from Marion, Ind., Kyle enters the contest with numbers surpassing what she posted at this point last season — averaging 15.9 points and 9.8 rebounds compared to 13.2 and 9.2. She also ranks sixth nationally in double-doubles. Those marks stand as proof of the dedication and resilience she displayed in overcoming the toughest setback of her college career, and the determination she showed throughout a rehabilitation process that pushed her beyond anything she had previously faced.
"I was in a really dark place," Kyle said. "I was sad and it was really tough not being able to help my team."
Coming to terms with the fact that basketball would be out of reach for a time, Kyle began the long process of healing. The months that followed tested her limits, with rehab sessions and recovery days often filled with doubt and frustration.
"I had some really hard days," she said.
Head coach Kelly Rae Finley observed Kyle’s resilience during her third season at UF after transferring from Purdue.
"She worked so hard to get through that, and that's not easy at first," Finley said. "It's a mental battle as much as a physical one."
Kyle found strength in small milestones, such as walking without crutches, and leaned on the encouragement of those around her. Each demanding workout and therapy session was driven by her determination to return stronger than before.
Though she often spent time alone in treatment or reflection, Kyle’s support system — family, teammates, and coaches — stood firmly behind her. Even while sidelined, she remained one of the team’s loudest cheerleaders, while also drawing energy from the encouragement she received.
"They had my back," Kyle said.
UF center Ra Shaya Kyle (24) is one of the SEC's best low-post players.
Though sidelined, Kyle’s presence never diminished. Her injury shifted her role from producing points and rebounds to providing strength through her words. For her teammates, that voice carried weight.
"Shay's always there to pick you up and sometimes you just need that," teammates Reynolds and Alexia Dizeko said.
Her leadership had always been evident, but the time away from the floor allowed her to fully embrace being the veteran of the squad. The absence from competition unlocked a deeper level of guidance, one that fortified the team’s foundation and extended beyond basketball.
Away from the game, Kyle also rediscovered parts of herself. She leaned into her faith, attending church and turning to prayer, and found a new passion in writing. Putting pen to paper became a meaningful outlet during recovery, helping her process the challenges and channel her emotions.
Though separated from the sport she loved, Kyle reconnected with herself. The months spent healing prepared her not only for a return to the court but for a stronger, more balanced comeback.
Ra Shaya Kyle (24) has made nearly 56 percent of her shots over a five-season career (that includes two at Purdue) and needs 63 points to reach 1,000.
Coming off Sunday’s SEC win over Georgia, where she posted 18 points and five rebounds, Ra Shaya Kyle continues to make her mark. She currently ranks fifth in the conference in rebounding (9.8 per game) and third in field-goal percentage (64.1). Beyond the numbers, she’s also recognized as the team’s emotional spark.
"That's what she's going to do." assistant coach Jackie Moore said of UF’s biggest presence in the paint. "Ra Shaya Kyle is back and she's not here to play nice."
Her impact has become known as "Kyle’s style." With her size, skill, and determination, she’s reasserting herself as one of the SEC’s toughest matchups. Her play speaks volumes, but her message to opponents is straightforward:
"You better play some defense," she said.
For SEC teams, that warning is more than words. When Kyle gets the ball in the post, the result is certain — it’s all business. And this time, her season isn’t ending early. It’s just getting started.
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