Peoria, Ill. -- From North High School in Bloomington, Indiana to Bradley University to her current profession as an orthopedic surgeon, Nyagon Duany's career path was largely shaped by her athletic experiences. 

Nyagon Duany and her family landed in Bloomington, Indiana after fleeing from South Sudan in the 1980s just before a civil war broke out in the country. 

In high school, Duany became a standout player, averaging 21.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. She was an All-State selection in both basketball and track, and she was named Athlete of the Year at BHS. Duany was also the Class Valedictorian with 4.00 grade point average. 

The family's athletic prowess earned Duany and three siblings an opportunity to compete while pursuing their college education. 

Duany became a four-year letter winner at Bradley University as a member of the women's basketball team from 1996 to 2000. She played in a total of 101 games in her four years, scoring a total of 517 points in her career, including 227 in her senior year. Duany was a key part of the Bradley team in her senior season when she played appeared in 26 games and started in 25 of those contests. 

Already a pre-med major, it was an unfortunate injury that helped shape Duany's career path. While at Bradley, she suffered a shoulder injury requiring surgery, and it was through that experience that Duany decided to pursue sports medicine. While Duany was offered a trout for the WNBA's Indiana Fever, she chose to enter medical school and pursue orthopedics. 

Duany has credited her background as a college athlete with the competitive drive to succeed in her field. Having served as an orthopedic surgeon for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Baltimore Ravens, Duany now practices orthopedic surgery at the Norton Orthopedic Institute in Louisville, KY. 

In recognition of the anniversary signing date of Title IX on June 23, 1972, women significant to the history of Bradley University Athletics representing each of our women's teams and department support areas will be spotlighted on the 23rd of each month. Check out our previous features below:

Press Release: Celebrating Title IX 50 Years
Lydia Moss-Bradley: Paving the Way
Virnette House-Browning and Patty Viverito: Leaving an Impact
Title IX Conversations: Carol Price-Torok
Title IX Conversations: Andrea Gorski
Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX: Lindsay Stalzer
Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX: Caitlin and Kristen Busch