NEW YORK (AP) Liberty guard Epiphanny Prince had surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.
Prince suffered the injury while playing in Russia for her club team Dynamo Kursk on Nov. 11.
''I feel badly for Piph, I know she was really looking forward to the start of this upcoming season,'' Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer said. ''Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game, especially when you play year round. We look forward to her making a full recovery.''
Prince averaged 15 points and 3.4 assists to help lead New York to the Eastern Conference Finals last season after getting traded to the Liberty in February.
Prince, who also had two right lateral meniscus tears repaired on Wednesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery, is expected to be sidelined at least six months.
''I want to thank my teammates and the staff at the New York Liberty and at Dynamo Kursk for their support, and all the friends who have reached out to offer their well-wishes,'' Prince said in a statement.
''Injury is always difficult and the last few weeks have not been easy - I miss basketball and being on the floor competing, but I am committed to doing everything I can to get healthy as soon as possible.''
Prince said she will spend her time rehabbing and finishing her degree at Rutgers. She left the school before her senior year to play professionally in Europe.
