A Detailed Guide to Leg Injuries in College Basketball

College basketball is an intense, high-contact sport that unfortunately can lead to serious injuries for its players. While sprains, tears, and fractures can occur to various parts of the body, leg injuries seem to be among the most common and devastating. Over the years, there have been many well-known cases of college basketball players suffering broken legs or other impactful leg injuries that have ended seasons and even careers. This guide takes a closer look at some of the major leg injuries sustained in college basketball in recent years.

Notable Leg Injuries in College Basketball

Marcus Smart – Oklahoma State

In February 2014, Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart suffered a hairline fracture in his right hand against Texas Tech. This injury forced him to miss the next three games. However, even more impactful was another leg injury Smart endured later that same month. In a game on February 22nd against Oklahoma, Smart fell awkwardly and was later diagnosed with a high ankle sprain. This injury prematurely ended Smart‘s sophomore season. He was projected to be a top NBA draft pick, but the injury may have contributed to him falling to #6 overall.

Tajh Shamsid-Deen – Auburn

Auburn point guard Tajh Shamsid-Deen fractured his left shin bone during a game against Arkansas in February 2015. Shamsid-Deen underwent surgery and missed the remainder of the season. He had been averaging 13.7 points and 3.5 assists per game prior to the injury. This was a disappointing outcome for the promising sophomore guard.

Carlton Bragg Jr. – Kansas

Kansas forward Carlton Bragg Jr. injured his leg against Texas in a February 2019 matchup. Bragg drove toward the basket but injured his leg after colliding with a defender. It was later determined that he had fractured his left tibia, ending his season. Bragg had been averaging 9.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game up to that point. This injury was another disappointment for both Bragg and the Jayhawks.

Killian Tillie – Gonzaga

Gonzaga forward Killian Tillie suffered a stress fracture in his ankle versus Utah State in November 2018, causing him to miss several games. After returning briefly, the injury flared up again in March 2019, resulting in Tillie missing the NCAA tournament. The same issue surfaced yet again in November 2019, sidelining Tillie once more. These recurring injuries have hampered the promising career of the talented big man.

RaiQuan Gray – Florida State

In March 2021, Florida State forward RaiQuan Gray fractured his left leg during a game against Duke. This non-contact injury occurred as Gray was elevating toward the basket. The compound fracture was so gruesome that his bone protruded through the skin. Gray underwent surgery and missed Florida State‘s postseason run. Prior to the injury, he had been averaging 12 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Collin Gillespie – Villanova

Villanova guard Collin Gillespie tore ligaments in his left knee during a March 2021 contest against Creighton. Gillespie had to be carried off the court and underwent season-ending surgery soon after. Gillespie was the Wildcats‘ leading scorer at 14 points per game. The injury was a crushing blow to both Gillespie and Villanova‘s national title hopes.

Ashton Hagans – Kentucky

Kentucky point guard Ashton Hagans suffered a fractured ankle in February 2020 versus LSU. Hagans had been averaging 12.6 points and 6.4 assists for the Wildcats before going down. The injury forced him to miss several games down the stretch. Kentucky struggled without their floor general, showing Hagans‘ value. He ultimately left after the season to enter the NBA draft.

Tre Jones – Duke

Duke guard Tre Jones injured his right shoulder early in an ACC clash against Syracuse in January 2020. Jones exited the game and missed the next two contests. When he returned, he re-aggravated the injury, forcing him to sit out three more matchups. Jones‘ absence severely impacted Duke, as they went just 2-3 without their stellar point guard in the lineup.

Kerry Blackshear Jr. – Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech forward Kerry Blackshear Jr. sustained a right foot fracture in February 2019 that prematurely ended his junior season. Blackshear had been enjoying a breakout campaign, averaging 14.7 points and 7.2 boards per game. His injury was a major blow to Virginia Tech‘s postseason chances. Blackshear transferred to Florida for his senior season.

Rawle Alkins – Arizona

Arizona guard Rawle Alkins fractured his foot prior to his sophomore season in 2017. The injury caused him to miss half the year before returning in January. It took time for Alkins to regain form, as he only averaged 13.1 points post-injury after putting up 10.9 as a freshman. Alkins ended up leaving after his junior year for the NBA.

Edmond Sumner – Xavier

Edmond Sumner suffered a torn ACL in January 2017, abruptly ending his stellar sophomore season. Prior to the injury, Sumner was averaging 15 points and 5 assists per game. The injury sabotaged a potential NCAA tournament run for Xavier. Sumner left for the NBA draft after the season but has struggled to gain footing after that devastating ACL tear.

Chris Clarke – Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech forward Chris Clarke endured a torn ACL during practice in October 2019, knocking him out for the entire 2019-2020 season. Clarke had been suspended briefly the year before but was expected to be a key contributor. The torn ACL was a horrible stroke of bad luck for both Clarke and the Hokies. He transferred to Texas Tech after the injury.

Deng Gak – Duke

Duke freshman forward Deng Gak tore his right ACL during a December 2018 practice. Gak had just begun to work his way into the Blue Devil rotation when the injury occurred. It marked the end of his season after appearing in seven games. Gak has yet to fully recover, as he reinjured the same knee during his redshirt sophomore season in 2021.

Dedric Lawson – Memphis

Memphis forward Dedric Lawson broke his left hand against East Carolina in February 2016, sidelining him for nearly a month. The promising freshman had been averaging 15.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game prior to fracturing his shooting hand. Lawson transferred to Kansas after the season and became a star there before turning pro.

Dewan Hernandez – Miami

Miami Hurricanes forward Dewan Hernandez suffered a debilitating right ankle injury in January 2018 versus Duke. An MRI confirmed that Hernandez tore the deltoid ligaments in his ankle, requiring season-ending surgery. With no ligament damage, Hernandez made a full recovery. He was eventually drafted 59th overall by the Toronto Raptors in 2019.

Isaiah Jackson – Kentucky

Isaiah Jackson, a freshman forward for Kentucky, suffered a dislocated finger against Arkansas on March 6, 2021. Though not a leg injury, it was severe enough that Jackson required surgery days later. The injury forced him to miss the SEC Tournament and likely damaged his NBA draft stock. Jackson still ended up going 22nd overall to the Pacers.

Terry Henderson – NC State

NC State guard Terry Henderson tore his right ankle ligaments during the 2016-17 season opener versus Georgia Southern. This ended Henderson‘s season, after he had just transferred from West Virginia. The severe ankle sprain was a disappointing start to Henderson‘s NC State tenure. He ultimately recovered fully and helped lead NC State to the NCAA tournament the next year.

Amile Jefferson – Duke

Duke big man Amile Jefferson fractured his foot prior to the start of the 2016-2017 season. Jefferson required surgery and missed nearly the entire year before returning briefly at the end of the season. Jefferson had been expected to be Duke‘s star before going down. He was eventually granted a fifth season of eligibility in 2017-18.

Phil Cofer – Florida State

In March 2018, Florida State forward Phil Cofer suffered a severe ankle injury versus LSU in the NCAA Tournament. Cofer was later diagnosed with a dislocated ankle requiring surgery. He missed the remainder of the tournament. Cofer had been averaging 12.8 points per game before injuring his ankle. He was granted a medical redshirt to play one final season.

Shelton Mitchell – Clemson

Clemson guard Shelton Mitchell fractured his ankle against South Carolina on November 26, 2016. Mitchell underwent surgery and missed the first nine games of the 2016-2017 season before making his return in late December. The starting guard averaged 10.8 points per game once back from the ankle fracture.

Jordan Murphy – Minnesota

Minnesota forward Jordan Murphy suffered a dislocated right ankle in January 2018 versus Ohio State. This injury forced Murphy to miss four games before making his return in February while wearing a protective boot. Prior to the injury, Murphy had been averaging a double-double at 13.7 points and 12.1 rebounds per game.

Javin DeLaurier – Duke

Duke sophomore Javin DeLaurier fractured his right orbital bone during a November 2018 game against Eastern Michigan. He missed two weeks before returning with a protective mask. DeLaurier averaged only 2.8 points per game during the 2018-2019 season but contributed with his defense and rebounding.

Cassius Winston – Michigan State

Michigan State point guard Cassius Winston suffered a hairline fracture in his right kneecap prior to the 2019-2020 season. The injury occurred when Winston banged knees with a teammate in practice. Though not a major injury, it seemed to linger for much of the season as Winston struggled with his mobility throughout the year.

Yoeli Childs – BYU

BYU forward Yoeli Childs dislocated a finger in the WCC championship game in March 2019. He then injured his ankle in the NCAA tournament against Gonzaga after scoring 28 points. The injuries hindered Childs‘ draft stock, though he still ended up signing a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz.

Effects of Leg Injuries

The leg injuries sustained by the players detailed above had numerous effects on their teams‘ success and their own professional prospects.

• Missing significant time – Nearly all of these leg injuries forced the players to miss major game action. Several players never returned, ending their seasons and/or college careers prematurely.
• Hampered team success – Teams that lost their stars to leg injuries generally saw a corresponding dip in their performance and win-loss record without their injured player.
• Less chance for NCAA glory – Leg injuries taking out key players near tournament time greatly hurt their team‘s national title hopes (e.g. Florida State with Gray, ‘Nova with Gillespie).
• Dropped draft stock – Leg injuries often raised questions about the players‘ durability, making NBA teams more hesitant to use a high pick (e.g. Smart, Sumner).
• Lengthy recoveries – Leg injuries frequently required extensive rehab periods lasting 6 months to over a year before the player could return. Full recovery could take even longer.
• Transfers – Some injured players sought fresh starts elsewhere after their injury via transfer (e.g. Blackshear, Lawson).
• Lingering effects – Certain leg injuries appeared to hamper play and mobility long after the player returned (Winston, Alkins).

So in summary, leg injuries in college basketball can completely alter a player or team‘s trajectory and prospects. But resilient players can still battle back from even devastating leg fractures, dislocations, and tears.

Causes and Preventative Measures

Leg injuries are so common in basketball due to the high-impact jumping, abrupt cutting motions, elevating near the rim, and inevitable contact consistent with a fast-paced, high-intensity sport. But there are measures that can be taken to potentially reduce the frequency and severity of leg injuries:

• Build Muscle – Strong leg muscles better stabilize joints and withstand impact. Weight training to build leg strength should be part of every player‘s regimen.

• Proper Landing – Coaches must drill proper landing technique on jumps to allow knees and ankles to absorb force safely. "Stick" each landing.

• Wear Ankle Braces – Braces restrict dangerous motion and protect vulnerable ligaments. They are wise preventative tools.

• Tape Ankles – Athletic trainers can tightly tape ankles to compress and support them during play.

• Wear High-Tops – High-top shoes provide more ankle coverage and support than low-tops.

• Stretch Thoroughly – Make sure leg muscles are well-stretched before intense activity to decrease injury risks.

• Training Modifications – Decrease more dangerous moves (e.g. high-impact jumps) in favor of low-impact training.

• Build Quality Strength – Focus should be on building functional strength specific to basketball movements versus just lifting heavy. Quality > quantity.

• Gradual Ramp-Up After Injuries – Players returning from injury should be eased back into action gently, rather than expecting pre-injury output immediately. Re-injury chances are high if pushing things too quickly. Patience is key.

Of course, some leg injuries are unavoidable – many being non-contact fluke plays. But following smart training principles can give players the best shot at staying healthy and avoiding major leg damage.

Long-Term Outlook

The outlook for players who suffer serious leg injuries largely depends on the severity of the injury and access to quality medical care. Many of the players profiled in this piece were able to make full recoveries after going through intensive rehab. Marcus Smart, for example, has gone on to have a successful NBA career despite his early leg setbacks. But others, like Edmond Sumner, have yet to rediscover the high level of play they displayed pre-injury.

Full recovery from fractured tibias/fibulas generally takes many months but the long-term prognosis is typically very good assuming proper surgical repair. Severe dislocations also often heal fully with proper treatment and sufficient rest. Problems like chronic strains and tendonitis present recurring challenges but can be managed.

More concerning leg injuries like ACL tears and ruptured Achilles are tougher to bounce back from. But determined players like Nerlens Noel and Klay Thompson have returned to pre-injury form through committed rehab even after these devastating injuries.

So while the road back from catastrophic leg injuries is daunting, most elite players with access to top-notch medical care and training can regain their status with hard work and patience. Of course, prevention via the methods mentioned above is preferable whenever possible.

Conclusion

Leg injuries have always been a hazard in basketball due to the jumping, cutting, and contact inherent in the sport. College players with bodies still maturing are especially susceptible. While many precautions can be taken, college basketball will continue to see severe leg injuries like fractures, dislocations, ligament tears, and more.

But players with drive and resilience can still thrive after rehabilitation – Marc Gasol and Paul George being prime examples. The key is comprehensive treatment, smart training, and allowing proper time for tissue to fully strengthen. Players who rush back too quickly almost always re-injure themselves.

Overall, leg injuries present obstacles for both the impacted players and their teams. But they do not have to be career-ending or limiting if addressed properly. Even significant setbacks like the many documented here can become inspirational comeback stories.