BYU Star Delaney Gibb Returns from Injury, Ready to Shine

After a standout freshman season, the Canadian guard is back on the court and eager to lead her team to new heights.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 2:39pm

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BYU guard Delaney Gibb, the reigning Big 12 Freshman of the Year, is returning to the court after being sidelined by a lingering lower-leg injury. Gibb, who averaged 17.4 points per game last season, had to sit out for over a month to allow her body to heal. Now back in the lineup, the 20-year-old Canadian is eager to regain her rhythm and help lead the Cougars to success in the highly competitive Big 12 conference.

Why it matters

Gibb's return is a major boost for the BYU women's basketball team, which is looking to build on its 11-1 start to the season. As one of the top young guards in the country, Gibb's presence on the floor makes the Cougars a much more formidable opponent, both in conference play and in their quest to reach the NCAA Tournament.

The details

After trying to play through the injury early in the season, Gibb was eventually shut down by first-year head coach Lee Cummard for over a month to allow her body to fully heal. During that time, Gibb said she gained a new perspective by watching her younger teammates grow in confidence. In her return against UCF on Dec. 20, Gibb's production has been uneven as she works to regain her rhythm and timing, but her leadership and playmaking ability have been a major boost for the Cougars.

  • Gibb suffered the lower-leg injury sometime between the end of her freshman season and the start of fall practice.
  • Gibb missed 8 games while recovering from the injury.
  • Gibb returned to action against UCF on Dec. 20, 2026.

The players

Delaney Gibb

A 20-year-old sophomore guard for the BYU Cougars, Gibb was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year last season after averaging 17.4 points per game.

Lee Cummard

The first-year head coach of the BYU women's basketball team, Cummard is tasked with guiding the Cougars back to the NCAA Tournament.

Olivia Hamlin

A freshman forward for BYU who has emerged as the team's second-leading scorer at 12.3 points per game.

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What they’re saying

“Sitting out, I actually learned a lot. It was kind of nice to take a step back and gain a different perspective. It was super fun to watch these younger girls and watch their confidence grow.”

— Delaney Gibb, BYU Guard (Deseret.com)

“I think Delaney is a very vocal leader, which we really need. Delaney is one of those players that can tell us where to be. She makes us better.”

— Olivia Hamlin, BYU Freshman Forward (Deseret.com)

“There are a lot of weapons. You have a lot of help. You don't have to do it all. We have really talented players that can alleviate some of that. Pick your spots to be you.”

— Lee Cummard, BYU Head Coach (Deseret.com)

What’s next

The Cougars (15-6, 4-5) host the Utah Utes (15-6, 6-3) on Saturday, February 1st at 2pm ET on ESPN+. This will be Gibb's first home matchup against the Utes since BYU's last win over Utah at home in 2017, when Gibb was just 11 years old.

The takeaway

Delaney Gibb's return from injury is a major boost for the BYU Cougars, who are looking to build on their strong start to the season and make a push for the NCAA Tournament. As one of the top young guards in the country, Gibb's leadership and playmaking ability will be crucial in helping the Cougars navigate the challenging Big 12 conference schedule.