Laila Ferrier’s Journey Back to the Court

Laila Ferrier experienced a shocking moment last season in Austin, Texas. One morning, she suddenly found herself unable to see. Dark clouds clouded her vision, and she felt a wave of panic wash over her.

“The crazy thing is, it literally happened in the blink of an eye,” Ferrier shared. “One day I woke up and my eyelids were like curtains and it was pitch black. I couldn’t see anything up or down. Everything I saw was distorted.”

Rushed to an eye specialist, she learned that she had a retinal detachment requiring emergency surgery. Doctors explained that her condition wasn’t the result of anything from practice or games, but stemmed from genetic issues that had led to a gradual detachment of her retina.

Then came the tough news: her senior season with the Texas Longhorns was over.

“Then life really started. How am I going to explain to my parents that I just had eye surgery? I’m in fourth grade and this is not what I had planned,” she reflected. “It was tough. It was tough.”

However, as she recovered, Ferrier regained her vision and developed a new outlook on life and basketball. The process took about two months, including laser treatment and a second surgery. During this time, the Longhorns achieved a remarkable feat, reaching the Final Four for the first time in 20 years. Watching from the sidelines was both a challenge and a bittersweet experience, but she remained a supportive teammate.

Seeking a fresh start, Ferrier entered the transfer portal, which allowed her another year of eligibility since she had played only eight games before her injury.

Now at Syracuse, the 6-foot guard from Cincinnati is making an impact as the team starts the season at 5-0, even matching her best career averages while sporting safety glasses. This Sunday, Syracuse will take on its toughest opponent yet, No. 6 Michigan, where she played for three seasons before her time at Texas.

“Amazing, amazing, fun. I can’t wait. It’s going to be great,” Ferrier expressed about facing the Wolverines. “It’ll be nice to meet Danielle Rausch. I played with her, and she’s on staff now, so I’m looking forward to seeing her there.”

During her time at Michigan, Ferrier was recognized multiple times as an All-Big Ten selection, earning her spot on the All-Freshman team in 2022 and then achieving first-team honors as a sophomore and junior. She was a highly esteemed recruit, ranked 28th by ESPN in her class.

At Michigan, Ferrier developed into one of the Big Ten’s top players, known for her scoring ability from various distances. In the 2023-24 season, she averaged 16.8 points per game, leading the Wolverines in scoring. Last season, she shot 41.7% from beyond the arc and grabbed 4.2 rebounds per game.

Now, she is striving to reclaim that level of performance at Syracuse, and head coach Felisha Leggett-Jacques believes she can achieve it.

“Right from the moment we visited, she really connected with me,” Ferrier said, speaking of Leggett-Jacques. “She’s such a great leader and a great role model. She helped me a lot, regained my confidence and always reminded me of the player I was before I was sidelined.”

After her junior year at Michigan, Ferrier transferred to Texas, where she was expected to make a significant impact alongside teammates like Madison Booker and Lori Harmon. However, she faced challenges; her performance was limited, and an eye injury cut short her ability to settle into her new role.

As Ferrier recovered, Texas advanced to the Final Four, a bittersweet experience for her.

“It was very difficult, but everything that happened made me feel like life is all about perspective. I realized that even though it was challenging, everything happens for a reason, and I was able to find the light in it,” she said. “It was a great run, and I enjoyed cheering on my teammates.”

She reflected on how this experience shifted her viewpoint on basketball and life. “There were a lot of emotions, and it made me look at basketball and life in general differently because you never know when it’s going to be taken away from you. I dug deep into my faith and knew this was all part of God’s plan. I can’t sit there and question everything.”

Following Texas’s loss to South Carolina, Ferrier chose to enter the portal again, prioritizing finding the right fit over competing for a title.

“It was different because I wasn’t able to play all season and was out,” she said. “Plus, how do I get back on track? After talking to Coach Jack, it was a no-brainer.”

Ferrier felt that Syracuse fulfilled her athletic and academic aspirations. She’s on track to graduate in May with a degree in communications and hopes to lead the Orange back to the NCAA Tournament by then.

Syracuse had a rough previous season, ending with a 12-18 record and only six ACC wins. With many players gone, Ferrier is one of the few experienced members on a roster featuring several underclassmen.

“Our team, the chemistry on and off the court, is very special,” she noted. “I’ve seen a lot during my time with different teams, including an Elite Eight and Final Four. I want to share that experience and leadership. Just seeing everyone’s connections around here, the competitiveness—it’s thrilling. I’m really excited to be a part of this.”

Ferrier aimed to lead by her performance, playing a team-high 40 minutes and scoring 14 points in a recent victory over Utah, marking the first win of the season against a Power 4 opponent.

As Syracuse prepares to face Michigan, which is favored to win, she’s ready to prove the critics wrong. Ferrier’s vision is clear now, and she recognizes the potential this team holds.

“We’re under the radar, and that’s the great thing about it,” Ferrier said. “We have a lot of work to do, but we can get it done.”