EAST LANSING — Abbey Kimball entered her junior season last fall ready to build.
After being a fixture as a starter, averaging nearly 8 points and more than 23 minutes in 31 games for the Michigan State women’s basketball program as a sophomore, Kimball had visions of being an integral player in 2024-25.
But that never happened.
Kimball said she never really felt like herself during a nightmare of a season in which she endured an ankle injury and sickness as she played less than 10 minutes per game and averaged 2.8 points in just 16 appearances. But it was more than just the physical issues that impacted her.
“I wasn’t really there,” Kimball said. “There’s a lot that went on … . I was mentally struggling a lot last year. A lot of stuff went along with that that just kind of got me out of the loop and I just felt super down all the time and I wasn’t feeling the best.”
Those days seem like a long time ago now as Kimball and the Spartans get ready to open their season at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, against Mercyhurst.
Kimball, now a senior, is healthy, her mindset is better and she’s ready to do her part as the Spartans look to take another step after the success they’ve experienced in the first two seasons under coach Robyn Fralick.
Kimball was even voted by teammates to serve as one of the team’s captains for this season alongside center Grace VanSlooten.
“Abbey has had an experience of playing every role,” Fralick said. “Very rarely does a student-athlete literally experience every possible role through their career. For her to still show up and really care about the team and put the team first, I think that was reflected in her being voted captain.”
Enduring with the help of others
Kimball learned a lot during her trials last season. She learned she could persevere through difficult situations. And she learned she could lean on those around her to help her push through.
“I always made a testament to myself to stick through things,” Kimball said. “I think a lot of people have turned away from difficulties and I wanted to see how strong I was. I know that the people here really do care about you so that played a big role because I lost love for basketball at some points and the people around you are what help bring that up.
“They had never faltered, never made me feel like a certain way and always were there for me. That’s the biggest testament to them for being there for me during my lows. That helped me persevere and just my family and having that support system.”
MSU senior guard Theryn Hallock was a big part of that support system. Hallock and Kimball have lived together all four years they’ve have been at MSU and have known each other since middle school while growing up in Grand Rapids.
Hallock said it was tough to watch her close friend stuggle last year and there were times she didn’t know how to help.
“We all go through different struggles of being a college athlete or just being in college, in general,” Hallock said. “I think that mental health is so important. To see her go through those hard times but to come back even stronger and to see her even brighter now is something that I’m really proud of her for. She definitely struggled with some things, but she also put her foot down and wasn’t going to let those things tear her down.”
Hallock believes Kimball’s resilience is something that resonated with teammates.
“She’s putting in a lot for the team and for herself,” Hallock said. “She’s in the gym shooting and doing the things she needs to do and when people see that, they see that through a captain. They see people that work through the struggles and are still putting in the basketball work and taking care of themselves.
“She’s just taken huge strides and those strides have been really noticeable from us as other seniors and the freshmen and younger girls. It’s just really cool to see.”
Better, stronger and ready to lead
Just as people were there for her during her personal lows, Kimball is ready to be there for teammates with whatever they need. She believes her experiences during her first three seasons at MSU can help her do that.
“Just going through illnesses, injury — not like major injuries but just not playing and having a ton of different roles on the team. It has given me a lot of different perspectives of seeing how other people are and how people play,” Kimball said. “You kind of learn a lot about the game and about yourself through those roles. That just helps me as a person to help lead others.
“I just want to be whatever I can be for the team. Whatever they need I’m there for them. I feel like I’m a good person to come through because I have gone through a lot of difficulties and a lot of great things, too.”
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway and Bluesky @briancalloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Abbey Kimball digs way out of struggles to emerge as leader for MSU women’s basketball
Reporting by Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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