Former Knoxville Catholic basketball star Sydney Mains has decided to medically retire ahead of her junior season at Missouri, she announced Oct. 21.
Mains, who was the Division II-AA Miss Basketball in 2024, will retire before ever getting the chance to play in a game for the Tigers. The 5-foot-10 guard did not make any appearances due to injury last season at Missouri, which is led by former Lady Vols coach Kellie Harper.
Mains started her college career at FAU, but she only played in three games for the Owls before missing the rest of the 2024-25 season due to injury.
"Tiger Family, after consultation with the medical staff, I will be medically retiring ahead of the 2026-27 season," Mains wrote on X. "While I won't be competing on the floor,
I look forward to supporting my teammates and coaching staff. This team has worked hard to prepare for the year ahead and I can't wait to see what they accomplish. M-I-Z!"
— Sydney Mains (@MainsSydney) October 21, 2026
Mains has a history of injuries, going back to her sophomore year of high school when she suffered a partial tear of the three major ligaments in one of her knees, including her ACL.
Mains graduated in 2024 as the all-time leading scorer in Catholic basketball history, boys or girls, with 2,325 points. She was a career 40% 3-point shooter and made 356 in her career.
Mains led Catholic to state championships in 2023 and 2024, and she was named the Finals MVP both times. She was a finalist for Tennessee Miss Basketball three straight years from 2022-24.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Former Knoxville Catholic star, Missouri guard Sydney Mains medically retires
