Hope and Resilience: Laila Phelia’s Journey
Charlotte, N.C. – Laila Phelia faced a sudden loss of vision in her left eye, akin to a curtain being drawn over it, in late June 2024. Initially suspecting a contact lens issue, she soon realized the seriousness of the situation. This followed her impressive All-Big Ten season at Michigan as she transferred to Texas, a team that would reach the 2025 Final Four.
Phelia reached out to a Texas athletic trainer during the July 4 weekend, detailing her alarming symptoms, and was quickly referred to an eye specialist. By Monday, she learned she would need emergency surgery for a detached retina, initiating her months of uncertainty regarding how this eye condition might impact her basketball career and daily life.
The journey involved weeks of treatments that included painful procedures, discussions about surgical options like silicone buckles, and the mental strain associated with it all. Phelia, who transferred to Syracuse (SU) in the spring, acknowledged the challenges saying, “I wanted to play senior year, so I tried the first few games. But it was pretty tough.”
After undergoing another surgery in April 2025, Phelia is now fully healthy and prepared to play her final college basketball year at Syracuse. Embracing new challenges, she quipped, “Just gotta play with goggles, which is totally fine,” when reflecting on her experience during the ACC women’s basketball media day.
Coach Felisha Legette-Jack is thrilled to mentor Phelia, having previously recognized her talent while selecting her for the USA Basketball’s AmeriCup team in 2023. Phelia’s strong performance in her college season at Michigan, where she averaged nearly 17 points per game and became a first-team All-Big Ten honoree, indicates her competitive spirit as she now redirects her focus on her game and defense at SU.
Having faced immense challenges, Phelia reflects on her journey with gratitude. Diagnosis revealed that her retina was detaching due to a genetic issue, and she wore a patch post-surgery for protection. Despite the struggles, including multi-month recovery and loss of coordination, these experiences led Phelia to admire the importance of defense—a focus she honed during her time with the USA team.
After a period of contemplation, she decided to transfer from Texas to rekindle her confidence. Phelia found a supportive environment under Legette-Jack’s guidance, emphasizing that faith played a crucial role in navigating this life-altering experience. “It was a big change of events,” she concluded, “and I just had to have faith in God’s plan and try to see it from a different perspective.”
