Gray denied medical clearance to play for Lady Vols -by Dave Ford

In July of 2009, Amber Gray underwent a 12-and-a-half-hour surgery after suffering a stroke. She entered St. Mary's Medical Center in Knoxville to repair a rotator cuff injury and woke up at the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute to discover she had post-surgery complications that led to the discovery of an unrelated brain aneurysm.

Now one year later, having made significant strides toward getting back to a normal life on and off the basketball court, the redshirt sophomore received word she will no longer be a member of the Lady Vols.

"Amber is a courageous young woman, and we hope she will remain at UT as a student," said UT Women's Athletic Director Joan Cronan July 20 in a press release. "If she decides she would like to pursue a playing opportunity at another university, we will support her decision to do so. We only want the best for Amber."

The University of Tennessee Women's Athletic Department made the announcement it will not clear Gray to play as a result of "careful consideration and consultation with medical experts."

As a freshman during the 2008-09 season, Gray averaged 2.1 points and 1.7 rebounds per game in Southeastern Conference play. She turned in career-highs of 16 points and seven rebounds against Louisiana Tech on Nov. 23, 2008, but struggled to find consistent playing time off the bench.