Portland’s Alex Fowler admits it’s a conundrum.
Does she stay or does she go? Go out a winner or make one more run?
All questions that the four-time all-West Coast Conference forward hopes to answer shortly after the Pilots’ run ends at the NCAA women’s basketball tournament.
Portland (23-8) faces Oklahoma (25-6) in a first-round game at 6 p.m. Saturday in Pauley Pavilion at UCLA
The 6-foot-2 Australian has a year of eligibility remaining because of the free COVID year. Fowler has her degree, and plans to begin her work life playing professional basketball in Australia or Europe.
But will it start in 2023 or 2024?
“It’s something I’ve struggled with at times,” Fowler said. “I have been back and forth the entire year. It’s been stressful. I’m not going to lie. I’m trying to focus on this season.”
What happens to Portland in the NCAA tournament only complicates the decision. If the Pilots are one-and-done, would Fowler like to take another crack at an NCAA tournament? If the Pilots win a game or two, does she think this was fun, let’s do it again? Or go out on a high note?
“It would be fun to do it again, but it’s also a good way to end,” Fowler said.
One decision Fowler has made: if she returns to college, it’ll be with the Pilots. Fowler said she wouldn’t jump into the transfer portal as a grad transfer and look for a Power 5 opportunity.
While Fowler is undecided, it appears the career of guard Haylee Andrews is finished. Andrews, a two-time all-conference guard from Australia, tore her ACL in January. It was the second time in as many years that Andrews tore her ACL.
It’s unclear as to whether Andrews qualifies for a medical redshirt. The fifth-year senior guard missed 13 games last season and 19 this season.
Even if possible, Andrews may not want to go through the ordeal of rehab and preparation for another college season. UP coach Michael Meek said “given her injury history, I’m not sure that’s something she wants to explore.”
Andrews says she’s currently focused on the end to this season and rehabbing her knee.
“I haven’t thought about it all. So I can’t tell you if the door is open or not,” Andrews said.
This much Meek knows. If Fowler or Andrews want to come back next season, he’ll have a uniform ready.
“We’d love to have them back,” Meek said.
Nick Daschel reported from Los Angeles
–Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel