CHARLOTTE—No. 1 recruit Harry Giles has been sidelined due to a knee scope, but now another top recruit will not suit up when the Blue Devils open their exhibition slate Friday against Virginia State.
Freshman star Jayson Tatum went down with a foot injury at Duke's practice Tuesday, which was also the Blue Devils' second fall pro day with NBA scouts. Duke announced Tuesday at ACC Media Day that the freshman would be out less than two weeks with a left foot sprain.
“This is the best possible news,” Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a release. “It is a manageable injury that will not impact Jayson long-term. We look forward to having him back very soon.”
ESPN's Seth Greenberg first reported the news Tuesday afternoon, but the severity of the injury was initially unknown.
60-70 @nba personnel staff members in attendance at @DukeMBB pro day. Jayson Tatum goes down with some type of foot injury. Didn't look good
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) October 25, 2016
Graduate student Amile Jefferson, senior Matt Jones and Krzyzewski are in Charlotte Wednesday for the ACC's annual Operation Basketball media event. Jones met with media members Wednesday morning and said that his back was to the play when Tatum went down, reiterating that the team was uncertain how severe the injury was at the time.
Tatum was Duke's best offensive player during Saturday's scrimmage at Countdown to Craziness, pouring in 18 points during the 20-minute period. With the current timeline, the freshman will be sidelined for the Blue Devils' exhibition contests against Virginia State and Augustana. Tatum may be back in time for Duke's season opener on Nov. 11 against Marist.
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