Daye’s dad studies ACL

Darren Daye never hurt his ACL during his playing days at UCLA and in the NBA, but he’s spent the last two days learning as much as he can about the knee ligament.

Daye’s son, Austin, a talented 6-foot-10 sophomore-to-be at Gonzaga, was diagnosed with a partially torn ACL in his right knee Monday.

“I’m learning about it as I go, just like everyone else,” Darren said. “I don’t have a lot of answers. I’m just trying to figure things out.”

Daye said he doesn’t know the percentage of the tear in Austin’s ACL but was told that it’s high grade, “whatever that means.”

That probably means Daye’s injury is in the 2 or 2-plus range on the 3-point scale of ACL injuries. One generally means there is some stretching of the ACL and is considered the least serious. Two is usually a partial tear with the concern being the possibility of a complete tear in the future. Three is a completely ruptured ACL.

The younger Daye was injured last week when he fell during drills at the LeBron James Skills Academy. It was initially believed to be an injured hamstring tendon. Darren suggested that his son see the family physician when he returned to southern California.

The family physician referred Austin to a specialist where tests revealed a partial tear. Darren said surgery has been recommended.

“We want to have it done sooner rather than later,” Darren said, “but I’d rather it take a little longer to get it done by somebody we have confidence in.”

Daye’s father has heard several different timelines for recovery, but there are numerous determining factors, including the severity of the injury, how the operation goes and the patient’s approach and diligence with rehabilitation.

“Our family doctor said it’s usually a six- to nine-month situation where you just have to let it heal and hit the rehab pretty hard,” Darren said.

Daye said his son’s health is his primary concern.

Austin averaged 10.5 points in just 18.5 minutes per game and blocked 54 shots as a true freshman. He’s been on the radar of NBA teams since he arrived at Gonzaga. Early in the 2007-08 season, Austin was projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft.

“Next season is really not my concern,” Darren said. “Obviously, we’d like him to be ready next year, but as of right now I’m concerned more about his future. Fans might think differently. We don’t know how long his career will be, but we feel like he’s going to have a career after (college basketball).”

Austin had surgery on his elbow for a broken arm between his sophomore and junior years of high school.

“The funny thing about that was he was listed at 6-4 and by summer league the following year he was still listed at 6-4, even though he was 6-10,” Darren said.

Darren said it’ll be hard to imagine his son without a basketball in his hands for a while. The younger Daye typically is in a Los Angeles area summer league that features players from UCLA, USC and other West Coast schools, but that won’t happen this summer.

Austin’s spirits were buoyed by visits from GU assistant coach Tommy Lloyd and ex-Bulldogs standout Ronny Turiaf on Monday night.

“Austin wasn’t feeling too good about it (earlier Monday), but life throws you curveballs,” Darren said. “It’s not always easy and he’s dealing with it. Ronny and Tommy spent a lot of time with him. They were nice enough to come down from L.A. That was great.”