Athlete Feature: Kali Murrell
Kali Murrell (CAS’ 24), a guard for Regent’s women’s basketball team, started last season strong, leading the team and conference in scoring before sustaining multiple leg injuries in an early game that caused her to miss the rest of the season. Though her injuries required surgery and months of physical therapy (PT), Murrell is excited to be recovered and returning to play this school year.
This turn of events came as a shock to Murrell, who had never been seriously injured in her ten years of competitive playing. Growing up as the youngest of four siblings, who all played basketball, Murrell developed her love for the sport early. Her dad, a Cal Sparks AAU coach, faithfully trained her every morning and night and her mom continually encouraged her to do the best she could. She played through high school before starting her collegiate career at Regis University in 2020. However, she transferred to Regent in 2021 when looking for a smaller school with a strong Christian culture where she could play ball and study business.
Murrell was a starting player for the Regent team (2021), but in an early December game, she tore her ACL, meniscus and MCL in her left knee. These injuries led to two months of PT before she had surgery in February. During this time of pain and struggle, Murrell noted that her family was an integral part of her recovery. “My parents flew down and were there through the whole surgery process,” she stated, “I don’t know what I would have done without them.” Their unflagging love and support was a blessing that she was honored to have.
Throughout this struggle, Murrell has trusted in God and learned what it looks like to fully rely on Him and follow His lead one step at a time. She firmly believes that God is growing her through this hard process and puts her full faith in Him. “Everything happens for a reason,” she stated, trusting that God will use this part of her journey to help encourage others.
One of her biggest sports inspirations is basketball player Klay Thompson. Thompson had a similar injury and returned from his torn ACL to score approximately twenty points per game. Murrell noted that Thompson’s successes shows her that it’s possible to return to the court and play the game she loves.
Despite her injuries, Murrell is excited to be returning to Regent this semester. She continued PT all summer and, though she has a few more months left, is now recovered enough to rejoin practices and games. She is also thrilled to be joined on campus, and on the court, by her twin sister, who is transferring from the Academy of Art University. We are thankful for Murrell’s testimony and tenacity and can’t wait to see her fully recovered.
