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Daye has torn ACL in his knee

Posted by Jim

July 14, 2008 7:20 p.m. • 0 comments

Gonzaga’s Austin Daye thought he had avoided a serious injury last week when he crumbled to the court at the LeBron James Skills Academy, but follow-up tests revealed that the talented forward has a torn ACL in his right knee.

The original diagnosis in Akron, Ohio, was that Daye had injured a tendon in his hamstring. But further exams performed after Daye returned home to southern California confirmed a torn ACL.

“Unfortunately injuries are part of the game,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. “We just feel really bad for Austin. He was having a really good off season and working hard, but we expect him to return at some point, better than ever.”

It wasn’t immediately known if the knee injury would sideline Daye for the entire 2008-09 season. Kansas guard Brandon Rush tore the ACL in his right knee in late May, 2007, but returned to game action in mid-November and helped the Jayhawks win a national championship.

Daye was one of GU’s top players last year as a true freshman and he was expected to assume a bigger role this season. Gonzaga has been ranked in the top 15 of numerous preseason polls.

Check back here for updates as more information becomes available.