Duke Women's Basketball Team Opts out of Season Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The Duke women's basketball team will opt out of the remainder of the 2020-21 season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michael Schoenfeld, Duke's vice president for public affairs and government relations and chief communications officer, addressed the decision in a statement on Friday:

"The student-athletes on the Duke women's basketball team have made the difficult decision to conclude their current season due to safety concerns. We support their decision, as we have supported the choices made by all student-athletes at Duke during this unprecedented time. Duke will maintain our current schedule of competition in other sports and will continue to observe our rigorous health and safety protocols, which include daily testing for all student-athletes and are based on guidance from leading medical experts."

The Blue Devils began the season with a 3-1 record but were forced to pause activities Dec. 16 as a result of two positive tests for COVID-19 and contract tracing.

They were scheduled to return to the court Dec. 31 against Louisville.

According to Doug Feinberg of the Associated Press, Duke is the first Power Five school to opt out after starting the season.

Blue Devils coach Kara Lawson had previously criticized the season even taking place, telling reporters earlier this month, "I don't think we should be playing right now. That's my opinion on it."

Lawson is in her first season with the team after working as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics. She also had a 13-year playing career in the WNBA.

Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski has also questioned the ongoing season.

"I don't think it feels right to anybody," he said in early December. "I mean everyone is concerned."

The men's team canceled several nonconference games but returned to the court for the start of the ACC season against Notre Dame.

Schoenfeld noted Friday's decision does not affect the men's basketball squad, or any of the school's other teams.