Sydney Flames young gun Isla Juffermans facing injury uncertainty after U20's & Ivor Burge National Championships

Australian rising star Isla Juffermans could face a lengthy stint on the sidelines but the worst fears have been allayed following her gruelling injury end at the Under-20s National Championships.

Future Opals star Isla Juffermans has vowed to be back during the NBL1 season and “stronger than ever” after undergoing surgery on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old Sydney Flames development player took to social media to update friends and fans alike about her surgery and healing process following a serious knee injury.

Despite facing a stint on the sidelines, Juffermans was quick to point out the positivity in her prognosis after early fears of a career-altering anterior cruciate ligament rupture were allayed.

“Today I had surgery in my left knee, in which part of my lateral meniscus was trimmer and loose cartilage fragments from my femur were removed,” Juffermans said in the post.

Isla Juffermans on crutches celebrates after NSW won the bronze medal at the Under-20 National Championships. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw

RE-WATCH THE ACTION FROM THE U20 AND IVOR BURGE NATIONALS

“A microfracture has been drilled in the bone making the healing process easier. This is good news as it was not as bad as was first thought.

“I will be back during the NBL1 season to play for the Falcons stronger than ever.”

The Coffs Harbour product signed on to play for the Newcastle Falcons in the NBL1 East this season, ahead of her first foray into the US college system at the end of 2023.

Juffermans is one of the brightest young stars in Australian women’s basketball having been named MVP at the 2023 Under-20 Nationals as a bottom-ager, before backing it up in Ballarat last week.

The highly-talented big was a key part of the NSW set-up, and nearly single-handedly led the side into the gold medal match before going down with the injury in the semi-final against eventual champions Victoria.

New South Wales player Isla Juffermans in action at the Under-20 National Championships. Picture: Taylor Earnshaw

Juffermans, who was clearly distressed by the incident, was unable to put any weight on the joint, seen in a wheelchair after the game and on crutches during the tournament presentations on Sunday.

When contacted about the injury on Wednesday, the Flames were still waiting for the final results following Juffermans surgery, and clearly remained uncertain of her timeline.

“The club is working through prognosis of her injury with doctors,” a Sydney Flames spokesman said. “We are waiting to understand the actual injury and the full extent of it.”

A return midway through the NBL1 season will give Juffermans plenty of time to shake off any court rust and return to match fitness ahead of her first foray into the highly-competitive United States college basketball system.

The Coffs Harbour product signed a letter of intent to join the University of Louisville basketball program for the 2024 season, joining the likes of former Australian under-19s teammates Jess Petrie (Nebraska) and Tess Heal (Santa Clara) in the NCAA system.

Isla Juffermans of the Flames shoots under pressure from Penina Davidson of the Boomers during the WNBL match between Melbourne Boomers and Sydney Flames. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The 18-year-old has played four games for the Sydney Flames this season, but said she has learned from the likes of Australian Opals legend Cayla George.

“I’ve been learning so much with the Flames, Cayla (George) has been like a big sister to me and I’ve just been soaking it all in,” she told KommunityTV before the nationals.

“I think college basketball is going to be a big learning curve, but I’m so excited to see where it takes me.”

Originally published as Sydney Flames young gun Isla Juffermans facing injury uncertainty after U20's & Ivor Burge National Championships