October 31, 2023
Florida State coach Brooke Wyckoff recovering from successful breast cancer surgery
By Cameron Ruby
'I am looking forward to continuing to lead our women’s basketball program through another successful season'
Florida State University Head Coach Brooke Wyckoff had successful surgery to remove a cancerous mass, the school announced Tuesday. Her long-term prognosis for a full recovery is “excellent.”
Continue reading with a subscription to The Next
Get unlimited access to women’s basketball coverage and help support our hardworking staff of writers, editors, and photographers by subscribing today.
Already a member?
Login
The Seminoles coach is now recovering at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, ahead of her anticipated return to the sidelines on November 6 for the team’s home opener against Charleston Southern. FSU Associate Head Coach Bill Ferrera will stand in for this week’s exhibition game versus Clayton State.
In a statement from the school prior to her surgery, Wyckoff shared “My team of doctors along with the medical staff at TMH and I are very optimistic that this can be successfully dealt with while maintaining a high quality, active lifestyle. I am very comfortable with the plan for surgery and post-surgical treatment, and I am looking forward to continuing to lead our women’s basketball program through another successful season.” Wyckoff had not previously announced her diagnosis.
Wyckoff is a Florida State alum, playing for the Seminoles from 1997-2001 before getting selected 26th overall in the 2001 WNBA draft. After eight years in the WNBA, Wyckoff returned to Florida State as an assistant coach in 2011, eventually becoming the interim and associate head coach. She was promoted to head coach in 2022.
Michael Alford, Vice President and Director of Athletics at FSU shared “Obviously, our utmost concern is for Brooke and her family, and we will be fully supportive in every way as we navigate this situation together. Brooke’s positive attitude and proactive nature is a tremendous asset for her and illuminates the importance of being thorough and aggressive in attacking this illness.”
In her first season officially serving as head coach of the Seminoles last year, Wyckoff’s squad went 23-10, and boasted ACC Rookie of the Year Ta’Niya Latson as well as ACC Most Improved Player Makayla Timpson. Florida State has been consistently listed in the top-20 in preseason rankings.
Written by Cameron Ruby
Cameron Ruby has been a contributing writer for The Next since April 2023. She is a Bay Area native currently living in Los Angeles.