Finally healthy, Fremd grad Gorecki looking for banner year at Duke
Haley Gorecki, in her words, is very competitive.
But the former Fremd High School and current Duke University guard managed to turn an unfortunate string of injuries into another method to ramp up her intensity level.
After enduring three surgeries - left and right hip and shoulder - in her first three years at Duke, the 6-foot Gorecki is healthy and primed for a breakout season. She provided a glimpse of her all-around talent last season, when she averaged 11 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 23 games until suffering a season-ending left hip injury.
Gorecki, a redshirt junior, said her injuries have taught her many life lessons, most notably to not take any minute on the court for granted. In a twist of irony, Gorecki makes her return to the court in Sunday's 1 p.m. season-opening showdown at Northwestern - just over 20 miles from her hometown. Gorecki will also battle her former Fremd teammate, Northwestern junior forward Bryana Hopkins.
"It feels good to be healthy," Gorecki said. "I have not felt like this in a long time. I feel so much stronger and better. I was never injured before college. It's been a grind going through rehab, but I had a great support system.
"I always was a huge competitor, but with what I've been through, it has made me into a bigger competitor. It's even more special that my first game (back) will be in front of family and friends."
During the preseason, Gorecki has been one of the leading scorers for the Blue Devils. She had 18 points and 10 rebounds in an exhibition win over Alaska Anchorage, and tallied 26 points in a closed scrimmage against Tennessee.
Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie was a constant visitor to Fremd's campus during her recruitment of Gorecki. Now finally healthy, Gorecki has the potential to be an elite player, McCallie said.
"She's a warrior, just a tough blue-collar player," McCallie said. "She has a wonderful skill set and can be one of the most prolific shooters in the country. She's been working hard on her defense and her quickness. She's such an integral part of our team. She was a go-to player last year before she got hurt. She looks great so far.
"The hip is tough because she had a little bit of a structural thing that had to be fixed on both sides. It's not easy to come back from one (hip) surgery. But she's relentless and loves the game and has a future as a professional athlete."
Fremd coach Dave Yates said Gorecki had a different mindset during her rehab after proving herself on the court last season.
"She got hurt so much in her first few years that she never really got to validate that she belonged at that level," Yates said. "But last season, she was torching up the ACC before her injury. Now, she knows she belongs in that league, so her recovery has been a different kind. The doubt is no longer there. I'm excited for her future."
Gorecki said she doesn't dwell much on her injuries but realizes it's woven deeply into the narrative of her athletic career. After leading Fremd to new heights with a Class 4A second-place trophy in her senior season, Gorecki earned numerous all-state honors, including 2015 Ms. Basketball of Illinois.
She played in 14 games before a right hip injury sidelined her for the rest of her freshman season at Duke. She redshirted her sophomore season, and became a key starter last season. She scored 29 points at North Carolina, and tallied 25 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 blocked shots at No. 3 Louisville.
"It was a grind going through rehab," Gorecki said. "The last (injury) was a tough time for me. I was getting in the groove of things with the team. It was frustrating to not play with them and finish out the season. My first hip surgery was such a new experience, just waiting for my hip to heal and sitting out. But I always knew basketball would be a part of my life. I never thought about quitting. Nothing was going to stop me from playing."
Gorecki and former Homewood-Flossmoor standout forward Faith Suggs comprise two-fifths of Duke's starting lineup. Gorecki, a former soccer player, acknowledged she never expected to experience playing hoops for a big-time program. She even plays the occasional shooting game with Duke's highly touted freshmen, Cam Reddish and Tre Jones.
"I've beaten Cam, for sure, a couple of times," Gorecki said, confidently. "College basketball is an experience. I never thought I would have this opportunity, to travel and see so many places. I even played basketball in Italy. That was such a cool experience. It's crazy how much gear and extra opportunities are available."