IU women's Zania Socka-Nguemen unlikely to return this season

Indiana women's basketball starting center likely out for remainder of year with foot injury

Feb. 8, 2026 at 5:55pm

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Indiana women's basketball starting center Zania Socka-Nguemen is a "long shot" to return this season, according to coach Teri Moren. Socka-Nguemen, a former UCLA transfer, has missed nearly the entire month of December and the last 10 games due to a foot injury. While Moren hasn't revealed many details about the injury, she said the team's medical staff is advising caution in bringing Socka-Nguemen back to avoid further complications.

Why it matters

Socka-Nguemen's absence is a significant blow to the Indiana women's basketball team as they look to clinch a spot in the Big Ten tournament. As the starting center, she was averaging 11.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game before the injury. Her interior presence is crucial for the Hoosiers' offensive and defensive balance.

The details

Socka-Nguemen made a brief return to the lineup after missing nearly the entire month of December, but then suffered an injury to her other foot and has missed IU's last 10 games. Her last appearance came on Jan. 22 in a loss to Ohio State. Moren said the team is following the advice of the medical staff to be very cautious with Socka-Nguemen's recovery, as "one bad decision to throw her out there could lead to something none of us want to see."

  • Socka-Nguemen missed nearly the entire month of December with a foot injury.
  • She made a brief return to the lineup only to suffer an injury to her other foot and has missed IU's last 10 games.
  • Her last appearance came on Jan. 22 in a loss to Ohio State.

The players

Zania Socka-Nguemen

Indiana women's basketball starting center who is a "long shot" to return this season due to a foot injury.

Teri Moren

Head coach of the Indiana women's basketball team.

Edessa Noyan

A 6-foot-3 forward for Indiana who has taken on a more prominent role in Socka-Nguemen's absence.

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What they’re saying

“Z has a bright future here and a lot of basketball ahead of her. Our main thing is to get her healthy and I think we want to just be very cautious, one bad decision to throw her out there could lead to something none of us want to see.”

— Teri Moren, Head Coach (courierpress.com)

“It's really important, it's very hard offensively to have any kind of balance when you don't have a low-post presence. She's not a physical kid by nature, so it's something we've had to really work with her on and changing her mentality. You have to be an option on the inside for us for anything to work on the outside.”

— Teri Moren, Head Coach (courierpress.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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