Former Forest Park star Lexi Gussert, who had been tearing up Tasmania’s North-West Basketball Union, has suffered a season-ending broken ankle.

Gussert, in her first season of playing in the island country near Australia, broke the fibula bone near the ankle in a recent Somerset Heat game. She expressed appreciation social media for the “kind words and prayers.”

“Not what I wanted but this opportunity has been incredible and I’m in great hands here in Tasmania,” said the daughter of Kathy and Scott Gussert of Crystal Falls. “I’m looking forward to a speedy recovery and having my mom come visit this beautiful place.”

Gussert broke the broke after reportedly landed awkwardly after a layup.

Gussert, according to her mother on social media, will stay in Tasmania to “continue to help the team and the club’s AAU youth league.”

“She is doing pretty well, but obviously very disappointed,” Kathy Gussert said. “Scott and I are so blessed that she is with amazing and caring people that have been so wonderful to her. Makes being half way around the world a little easier.”

Grant Jackson, Somerset Heat club president, told

The Advocate.com of Burnie, Tasmania, that Gussert’s absence would be felt on and off the court.

“She comes from a small town the size of Yolla and so she just fitted in here perfectly,” Jackson said.

Gussert played at Michigan State following a sensational Forest Park career. She was averaging 21.73 points and 11.18 rebounds per game in Tasmania.

Yolla, with a population around 200, is a rural community in north-western Tasmania.

“The other reason we got her was the college had kept her on as an assistant coaching, as well as coming up from a little town the size of Yolla and someone that was one of her team’s most popular players. so that’s why we got her,” Jackson said. “I also think she is one of the best players in the competition, but because of her personality and just the way that she is, she will be a big loss for us.

“It is like she grew up around the corner, that’s how well she has fitted in.”

Gussert’s No. 22 was retired in January by Forest Park High School. She scored a UP record 2,630 points during a four-year career with the Lady Trojans basketball program.

Gussert, Michigan’s Miss Basketball in 2014, was named Michigan’s Associated Press Class D Player of the Year for two seasons and all-state for three. She was a two-time winner of the UP Class D Player of the Year award and a three-time MVP of the Skyline Conference.