Tennessee Lady Vols center Tamari Key to miss rest of season due to blood clots in lungs

Tennessee Lady Vols basketball center Tamari Key will miss the remainder of her senior year after blood clots were found in her lungs, dealing a crushing blow to a roster already struggling to recover from an underwhelming start to the season.

Key was not present at Tennessee's 69-39 win over Chattanooga on Tuesday, the first game in her career she has missed. According to Tennessee athletics, Key will continue to receive care under the guidance of the UT Medical Center and is expected to make a full recovery.

“My sole concern right now is that Tamari continues to get the medical care and guidance she needs and begins the gradual process of healing and returning to full strength," UT coach Kellie Harper said Thursday. "This is much bigger than basketball. We are so grateful that this medical condition was caught. Our entire program will be right beside Tamari during this process and welcomes prayers and positive thoughts from Lady Vol Nation and beyond.”

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Key isn't the first high-profile Tennessee athlete to face blood cots in the lungs. Former UT football offensive lineman Trey Smith faced the same health issue in 2018. Smith missed the final five games that season but eventually made a full recovery and played every game of his last two seasons. Smith was drafted in 2021 to the Kansas City Chiefs and is one of the rising stars at his position in the NFL.

Key has been a staple of the Lady Vols since her freshman season, starting in 93 of her 99 career games. She had her best game of the season Sunday against Virginia Tech, with 11 points, seven rebounds, three blocks, one assist and a steal. The 6-foot-6 center held All-American center Elizabeth Kitley to six points and averaged 8.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in nine game.

Her injury will create a void on a roster that was a trendy preseason pick to contend for the national championship despite failing to meet expectations during a 5-5 start.

Karoline Striplin started in Key's place against Chattanooga, and Jillian Hollingshead, a 6-foot-5 transfer from Georgia, could also see an increased role on a team rife with roster movement.

Hollingshead missed the Virginia Tech game with injury before returning against Chattanooga. Senior Rickea Jackson missed the past two games and is out indefinitely. Her absence against Virginia Tech was the result of a coach's decision. Star guard Jordan Horston and forward Jasmine Franklin also have worked through injuries this season.

Key was coming off the best season of her career after leading the Lady Vols to the Sweet 16 and averaging 10.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.5 blocks. She the program record for career blocks, knocking Lady Vols legend Candace Parker out of the No. 1 spot. Her 119 blocks in the 2021-22 season were a single season record and her 295 career blocks surpassed Parker's 275 career blocks.

Key was picked by coaches and media for the preseason All-SEC first team entering her senior season. She also earned a spot on the preseason watchlists for the Lisa Leslie Award (nation's top center) and the Naismith Trophy (national player of the year).

It hasn't been an easy season for Key.

In November, Key faced an onslaught of attacks on her personal appearance. Key has worn eyelash extensions and nails throughout her career, but fans criticized her and suggested she cared more about her appearance than winning games.

Key responded on social media with photos of herself and a screenshot of the criticism. It was widely shared, and Key received support from her teammates and a number of women's basketball players and fans.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee Lady Vols' Tamari Key out with blood clots in lungs