Daniel returns from knee surgery in time for basketball, softball

Kendall Daniel, 11, competes against The Woodlands on Nov. 13. They won the game 71-41. The team started the season 17-0.

Khamille Jones, Staff Writer

Quarantine has been anything but uneventful for junior Kendall Daniel.

In June, Daniel underwent knee surgery for a torn meniscus.

In September, she committed to play softball at the University of Houston.

Now with two knee braces on for protection, she is enjoying being a starting forward on the basketball team this season. The team is ranked third in the state and off to its best start (17-0) in school history.

“At the end of the day, my college coach tells me to do something I love,” Daniel said. “I still play basketball because it’s something I love.”

Daniel tore her meniscus while pitching. She has been playing softball since she was 3 years old and struggled when she had to take time away from the sport because of surgery. She still went to her teammates’ games and supported them, but it hasn’t been easy.

“I’ve never taken this long of a break from sports,” Daniel said.

In addition to the University of Houston being so close to home, Daniel chose it because she wants to be an engineer and they have a strong engineering program.

“Staying close to family and friends is good for me because I’ll always have my support system there,” Daniel said. “It’s nice to show my parents that the opportunity they gave me has paid off, and they can actually come and see that.”