Kentucky WBB's Tionna Herron planning her comeback after heart surgery

Ba-Bum. Ba-Bum. Ba-Bum.

Most people don’t think about their heartbeat. Tionna Herron is lucky she did.

On August 24, 2022, Kentucky women’s basketball freshman Herron underwent open-heart surgery to mend a structural abnormality. With the surgery just weeks ahead of the Wildcats’ 2022-23 season, Herron missed her entire rookie year. However, the 6-foot-4 center didn’t let the speed bump stop her from enjoying the ride.

“I definitely had fun this [past] season. Went to different places I hadn’t been to before and seeing my team,” Herron said in an interview with KSR.

While Herron still enjoyed the ride, it hurt to watch opportunity uncontrollably fly by the window.

“I wanted to be out there every game,” the DeSoto (XT) High School product admitted. “I was just like, ‘I’m going to get this done so that I could be able to do what I loved.’ That was pretty much my mindset throughout the whole process.”

Herron’s comeback

The process isn’t over for Herron quite yet. The former four-star prospect is currently focusing on getting back in playing shape. It’s not fun, but Herron knows every breathless sprint, grueling lift and frustrating practice will bring her one step closer to her return.

After all, Herron isn’t the first player to experience a painstaking comeback. While it wasn’t from open-heart surgery, fellow Wildcat Blair Green missed all of the 2021-2022 season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon. Supposedly, the fifth-year senior helped Herron push through the pain.

“[Green] was very helpful this season, just kept me encouraged. She gave me tips about how her journey went,” Herron said.

Like Green, Herron said she learned a lot on the sideline. Nonetheless, she’s eager to use her experience on the hardwood.

“I just want to fill the spots that weren’t filled last year,” she said. “I’m trying to bring toughness to the team.”

The team needs it, especially down low. The Wildcats’ starting center, Nyah Leveretter, suffered a torn ACL late in the season against Vanderbilt. Her timetable for return remains a mystery.

Kentucky’s backup big, Adebola Adeyeye, is moving on after playing her graduate season with UK. The ‘Cats need a hero, and Herron plans on saving the day.

“My plan is to be full-go by the time we get back from the summer,” she said. “Obviously, I’m still not up to par from the conditioning standpoint. But, I feel like over the summer, I just keep working and pushing myself so I can get back to that spot.”