Shoulder issue sidelines Hellems for second half

The sophomore forward had three points and two assists in nine minutes before leaving Sunday's exhibition game against Mount Olive

NC State forward Jericole Hellems left Sunday's exhibition basketball game against Mount Olive with a shoulder injury and did not return for the second half.

A team spokesman said that the injury wasn't serious and called the decision for him to sit out the rest of the game was a precautionary measure. The 6-foot-7 sophomore started the game and had three points and two assists in his nine minutes of action while going 1 of 4 from the floor.

Hellems first showed signs that something was wrong after coming out of the game midway through the first half. He sat on the bench with an ice pack on his right shoulder for a few minutes before returning to the game.

But within seconds, he signaled to come out of the game again and after a short examination at the end of the bench by a team trainer, he was taken back to the locker room. He spent the second half watching from the bench with his shoulder wrapped.

Graduate transfer Pat Andree started in his place in the second half.

It is not yet know whether Hellems will be available for the Wolfpack's regular season opener against Georgia Tech on Nov. 5.