By Jeff Griesch
Nebraska Athletic Communications
An ambitious and meticulous competitor, Nebraska sophomore-to-be Makenzie Helms has grown up committed to making the most out of every opportunity.
While the coronavirus outbreak has been devastating to many around the world, especially near her home on the East Coast, Helms has focused on maximizing the opportunities the break from organized basketball has provided in multiple areas of her own life. From creating stronger family connections, to personal health, individual basketball development and academic success, Helms is focused on the positives following her return to Lincoln after spending nearly two months at home in Connecticut.
"I moved into my new house in Lincoln on May 8th and have been in Lincoln since, starting my pre-session class," Helms said as the Huskers prepared for voluntary on-campus workouts to begin on June 1. "We have access to the outside courts around campus. I hate the double-rim, but it definitely builds character."
Helms has been itching to get back inside Nebraska's spectacular practice home at the Hendricks Complex, and she is ready to take advantage of her second season with the Big Red.
"I feel as though I am in a great position to get significant time this season," Helms said. However, I plan on working the hardest I ever have this summer to be my best self for the season. My freshman jitters are gone, and I cannot wait to contribute in so many ways on the court next year."
The 5-8 guard from East Haven, Conn., competed in 13 games overall including seven conference contests and Nebraska's game against Michigan in the 2020 Big Ten Tournament. She was a contributor in each of Nebraska's final seven games during the season, after working to complete her recovery from a string of surgeries to relieve pain from compartment syndrome.
"Kenzie showed a lot of resiliency in her freshman season here at Nebraska," Coach Amy Williams said. "She had to miss out on a substantial amount of training during the summer and preseason, which made her transition to college basketball even more challenging. As the season progressed, she became more and more comfortable in our system."
Helms battled the pain in her legs from compartment syndrome during her high school career as well, including surgery before her high school senior year, but the pain didn't stop her from being named the 2019 Gatorade Connecticut Player of the Year. She was also ranked as the No. 27 point guard in the nation coming out of high school by ESPN after averaging 26.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 4.3 steals as a senior for the East Haven Yellowjackets.
Following her outstanding senior season in high school, Helms underwent a second round of surgery to alleviate leg pain and was limited throughout the summer of 2019. She played three minutes in Nebraska's season-opening win over Alabama A&M on Nov. 6, but her time on the court was limited throughout non-conference play while she continued her recovery.
"Missing time on the court last summer had both positive and negative effects on me mentally," Helms said. "Positively, I got to watch my team thrive and be together. Negatively, I felt like a burden. It was great watching my team, but I was upset that I could not contribute and be part of my first practices as a freshman. Coach Williams did the most she could in order to make me feel connected. Regardless of the situation, I was still an important part of the team, on the sidelines or not."
Helms continued to gain strength and make adjustments to the college game without seeing much time in the first half of the season. But as the pain subsided, her legs gained strength and her fitness level and speed improved, and Helms began to earn more playing time.
In early February, she bounced off the bench to spark a 10-0 Nebraska run against nationally-ranked Indiana. She finished with three points and three assists in seven minutes to help the Huskers rally from a 25-point deficit to tie the game late against the Hoosiers. Helms also played well in a win over Penn State (Feb. 13) before notching three assists in a near-upset of nationally-ranked Northwestern in Evanston (Feb. 16).
While Helms' statistical contributions were limited to 10 points, eight assists and six rebounds for the season, her personal growth was undeniable and her understanding of what she can do to help Nebraska improve as a team also became apparent.
"On the court, I got a sneak peek of what it really is like versus Big Ten competition and that calls for a quicker shot release, tighter handles and crisp passes" Helms said. "My focus during this offseason is getting my ball-handling tight and effective, while also becoming more consistent with my three-point shot. Off the court, I learned to communicate on a deeper level with others. Here in Lincoln, everyone is eager to succeed. Our student-athlete community is inspiring."
Williams said the fire Helms brings to the gym each day can go a long way to helping Nebraska continue to build its program."
"Kenzie brings a lot of energy and passion to our team in practice and on game days," Williams said. "Our staff is excited to maximize that energy and passion for a full offseason and heading into her sophomore campaign."
Helms is not only thankful for the other Husker student-athletes, she is also extraordinarily appreciative of Nebraska Women's Basketball Athletic Trainer Ashley Rudolph. The Huskers' full-time team athletic trainer helped make Helms' second round of surgeries for compartment syndrome a success because of Rudolph's care and diligence in coordinating Helms' rehabilitation and recovery.
"Ashley is a godsend. We improved every day, and I will never be able to thank her enough for the relief that I have felt in the past year. Any time off the court is beneficial for my legs, but I have been running and feeling great," Helms said. "Our approach to my recovery was what I would describe best as 'no-nonsense.' With my condition, there will always be that pain occasionally, but now it is nothing in comparison to the past. I feel absolutely blessed and genuinely feel indebted to Ashley because of the relief."
Helms has plenty of reasons to thank talented and caring healthcare professionals. Her mother, Jocelyn, is a nurse in the Griffin Hospital Intensive Care Unit in Derby, Conn. Jocelyn has spent extensive time on the COVID-19 floor since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Makenzie's sister, Cassie, recently graduated among the top of her class from nursing school at Quinnipiac University and will be working at Yale Hospital in New Haven, Conn. – the same hospital their father, Lance, works as an armed protection officer in the psychology ER. Lance was also a decorated officer in the East Haven and Hamden police departments.
"I am proud to call Lance and Jocelyn my parents because they are two of the strongest people I know," Helms said. "They both worked incredible amounts of time while I was home. I believe my mother said Yale Hospital had more cases than the entire city of Lincoln."
Because of her family's potential exposure to the virus while she was home in Connecticut, Helms chose to limit her exposures outside of her immediate family.
"It was difficult to be home and not get to see my friends as often as I desired, but due to my parents' occupations I felt that it was best to isolate myself while home. It was positive in the sense that my little brother (Logan, 4th Grade) and I bonded in so many ways that we had not before."
As a new group of Huskers begin workouts for the 2020-21 season, Helms feels stronger physically, mentally and emotionally, eager to help herself and Nebraska continue to improve regardless of the challenges in front of them.
"I want Husker fans to know that I am extremely anxious to make my mark, and I promise to take full advantage of each opportunity when I step on the court for my team to succeed," Helms said. "I cannot wait to be back on playing in front of the best fans in the nation."
