Indiana guard James Blackmon Jr. to undergo knee surgery
Indiana’s James Blackmon Jr. will undergo surgery on his right knee on Tuesday afternoon after sustaining the injury in practice last week, the school announced.
Blackmon Jr. is expected to miss the rest of the season, according to Zach Osterman of the Indianapolis Star.
“This is a very tough outcome for our Indiana team, but most importantly for James,” head coach Tom Crean said in a statement. “He is establishing himself as one of the most elite guards in the country this season. I feel terrible for him and he has a tough road ahead of him but it is one he has been down before and we fully believe that this process will lead him to have an incredible future in the game at Indiana and well beyond. We look forward to helping him with his full recovery and I know he appreciates everyones thoughts, prayers and concerns.”
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Blackmon Jr. is averaging 15.8 points, which is the second-best on the team and 10th in the Big Ten Conference. His three-point shooting is a strength, as he ranks third in the Big Ten in three-point field goals made with 2.8 per game and seventh in three-point shooting percentage with a 46.3% mark from beyond the arc.
The sophomore previously underwent surgery on his left knee and missed some summer workouts in 2015.
The Hoosiers are currently 12–3 and sit in second place in the Big Ten. Indiana hosts the Wisconsin Badgers on Tuesday night at Assembly Hall.
- Christopher Chavez