Feb. 7, 2002

It's rare that a career-threatening injury can turn into a positive experience. But that's the case for University of San Francisco point guard LyRyan Russell, who turned his misfortune into a family reunion of sorts.

Russell was told before last season started that he'd never play again because of what was first diagnosed as a fracture in the area where his femur meets the left hip.

The injury occurred in a pickup game on the first day of classes when another player leaped and landed on Russell's foot just as Russell tried to run down court.

But after being referred to a hip specialist, the 6-foot Russell was told the injury was a deep bone bruise and surgery would not be required.

He redshirted last season in what would have been his senior year and began about six months of extensive physical therapy that included swimming pool exercises, the use of leg weights and "sit-ups, a whole lot of sit-ups."

"I'm not somebody who'll give up," he says. "I wanted to see for myself if I could come back."

He's not only back and playing well, but because he's still at San Francisco, he has a chance to finish his college career at the same time his sister, freshman point guard Toni Russell, is starting hers with the women's team.

The Russell floor-leader combo has helped both teams to winning records. LyRyan is averaging 7.2 points, 4.5 assists and 1.9 steals for the men (11-10, 6-2 West Coast Conference). Toni has averages of 5.4 points, 3.0 assists and 2.8 steals for the women (12-9, 4-4).

While now being each other's biggest supporters, the two used to go at it against each other.

"When we played, he didn't allow me to call fouls," Toni recalls. "He'd do a lot of pushing, but it made me more physical and prepared me for the intensity of the games."

Big brother's take?

"It was good for her," he says. "Now she goes out and bullies everybody."

Toni is listed at 5-3 but admits to being "really about 5-1, right at elbow level. That leads to a lot of black eyes."

It also means she's a pest on defense.

"When we'd go to the gym and she'd play against guys, the guys just couldn't dribble against her," LyRyan says. "She's so short that when the ball is on the ground she's already there to steal it."

"She'd get boys so mad," mom Randi Russell says, "they wanted to fight her."

While San Francisco's brother-sister act is unusual, it's not as strange as the seating arrangements for the Russell parents.

The kids leave tickets for mom and dad for home games - one seat on either side of Memorial Gym.

Rudy and Randi Russell are so intense during the games that they enjoy them more without the pleasure of each other's company.

"I don't agree with everything he says to the kids, so we decided years ago not to sit together because we end up arguing," Randi says. "We talk at halftime."

Says Rudy Russell, who played in high school and at the Division III Milwaukee School of Engineering: "We're both very competitive. If we sit down and play cards or dominoes, we'll be at each other. She's got her opinions, but I think I know a little more because I played the game."

And now that their kids are playing it at the Division I level, the parents' competitive nature is matched only by their pride.

"I thought they could support each other once I knew LyRyan was coming back," Rudy says. "And it's come true. It's great to have them there for each other."

By Jack Carey,
USA TODAY