Vanderbilt women's basketball ends season early

The Vanderbilt Commodores women's basketball team announced on Monday that it is discontinuing the remainder of the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19 issues, injuries and player opt-outs. 

"We fully support and respect the decision of our student-athletes. Their health, safety and well-being have always been, and will continue to be, a top priority," Vanderbilt vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director Candice Lee said in the prepared statement. "We know that this was a tough call for them, in a year full of tough calls, and a disappointing outcome for the student-athletes and the program." 

The Commodores join the Duke Blue Devils, Virginia Cavaliers and San Jose State Spartans among women's teams that prematurely ended seasons amid the health crisis. Vanderbilt went 4-4 overall and 0-3 in SEC play. 

"As a staff we have and will always prioritize the health and safety our student-athletes," Vanderbilt head coach Stephanie White added. "We are coaching a group of young women who have been resilient in dealing with opt-outs, injuries, COVID-19 protocols as well as the physical, mental and emotional toll that comes with COVID-19. We respect our student-athletes’ decision and support them as we continue to move forward." 

Baylor Lady Bears head coach Kim Mulkey made headlines over the weekend when she said the NCAA was continuing basketball seasons during the pandemic because of the money generated by the annual men's tournament. 

“The answer is this: The season will continue on. It’s called the almighty dollar,” Mulkey said. "The NCAA has to have the almighty dollar from the men’s tournament. The almighty dollar is more important than the health and welfare of me, the players or anybody else."

Mulkey was exposed to an infected individual on Christmas Day and tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 4. 

"One conference does this, one conference does that. The (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says this. Everybody is confused. I’m confused," Mulkey added. "I’m uncomfortable coaching. I understand, COVID is real. I’ve had it — come talk to me sometime. But I don’t know ... all the calls and procedures, that’s gonna go on and make it unusual, uncomfortable for every program. We’re no different at Baylor."

Also on Monday, UConn Huskies women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma said he believed the majority of players are against canceling the remainder of the season for the second consecutive year.