The Michigan women’s basketball team is set to tipoff its first game against Central Michigan on Wednesday, but sophomore center Izabel Varejão will not be with the team.
“She’s not here yet,” Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said in an appearance on WTKA Tuesday. “We’re working on getting her back from Brazil.”
With COVID-19, international travel is difficult. This indicates that there may be issues with getting a visa for Varejão.
Varejão is the only center listed on the Wolverines roster. Without her, Michigan will be missing a key bench player who contributed valuable minutes last season, averaging 5.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Normally the Wolverines would most likely look to junior forward Emily Kiser to fill her role, but she’s been struggling with an ankle injury and it’s unsure whether she’ll be available on Wednesday. Junior wing Leigha Brown, a transfer from Nebraska, could be the candidate to step up.
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