UK's Noel has torn ACL; out season

**Reg** · 02-13-2013, 04:05 PM

ESPN.com news services

An MRI on Kentucky Wildcats forward Nerlens Noel revealed he tore the ACL in his left knee and will miss the remainder of the season.

The talented freshman was injured in Tuesday night's loss to the Florida Gators.

Kentucky medical staff said surgery is expected in the next two to three weeks.

The 6-foot-10 Noel landed awkwardly on his left knee and then slammed the knee into the basket support after chasing down Florida's Mike Rosario on a fast break and blocking the shot with 8:03 left in No. 25 Kentucky's 69-52 loss to the seventh-ranked Gators.

Noel immediately grabbed his left knee and screamed in pain. Trainers rushed to his side and Wildcats coach John Calipari eventually came over and stayed with Noel until he was carried off the court by several teammates.

Losing Noel is a blow to the Wildcats (17-7, 8-3 SEC), who trail Florida (20-3, 10-1) by two games in the SEC standings. Noel leads the nation in blocked shots (4.5 per game) and averages 10.6 points per game and is second in the SEC in rebounding (9.6 per game).

"I met with Nerlens earlier today," Calipari said in a statement Wednesday. "The meeting was really positive, and I loved his attitude. The way he is already dealing with this injury lets me know that he is going to come back stronger than ever."

Some have feared that Noel's injury may have cost him millions as he had been projected to be a top-five pick in this year's NBA draft if he elected to leave early. Calipari said that's not a concern.

"The good news is he is insured," Calipari said, "so he would have been fine even if the injury would have been worse. Obviously, this is not a career-ending injury, and it's one that athletes bounce back from all the time."

Information from GatorNation's Michael DiRocco was used in this report.

**DBTS** · 02-14-2013, 03:43 PM

Obviously affects his draft stock slightly. Instead of being #1, he's mocked to go #3 or #4 now.

02-14-2013, 03:43 PM	#2
DBTS City of Champions! Blue Chipper Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Quincy, MA Posts: 2,142 Reputation: 169 : $8323	Obviously affects his draft stock slightly. Instead of being #1, he's mocked to go #3 or #4 now. __________________ Follow Me On Twitter - https://twitter.com/SoxBo

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02-13-2013, 04:05 PM	#1
Reg Ray's #2 Hero/Gramps HOF'er (retired jersey) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pontiac,MI Posts: 39,316 Reputation: 1285 My Mood: : $303068	UK's Noel has torn ACL; out season ESPN.com news services An MRI on Kentucky Wildcats forward Nerlens Noel revealed he tore the ACL in his left knee and will miss the remainder of the season. The talented freshman was injured in Tuesday night's loss to the Florida Gators. Kentucky medical staff said surgery is expected in the next two to three weeks. The 6-foot-10 Noel landed awkwardly on his left knee and then slammed the knee into the basket support after chasing down Florida's Mike Rosario on a fast break and blocking the shot with 8:03 left in No. 25 Kentucky's 69-52 loss to the seventh-ranked Gators. Noel immediately grabbed his left knee and screamed in pain. Trainers rushed to his side and Wildcats coach John Calipari eventually came over and stayed with Noel until he was carried off the court by several teammates. Losing Noel is a blow to the Wildcats (17-7, 8-3 SEC), who trail Florida (20-3, 10-1) by two games in the SEC standings. Noel leads the nation in blocked shots (4.5 per game) and averages 10.6 points per game and is second in the SEC in rebounding (9.6 per game). "I met with Nerlens earlier today," Calipari said in a statement Wednesday. "The meeting was really positive, and I loved his attitude. The way he is already dealing with this injury lets me know that he is going to come back stronger than ever." Some have feared that Noel's injury may have cost him millions as he had been projected to be a top-five pick in this year's NBA draft if he elected to leave early. Calipari said that's not a concern. "The good news is he is insured," Calipari said, "so he would have been fine even if the injury would have been worse. Obviously, this is not a career-ending injury, and it's one that athletes bounce back from all the time." Information from GatorNation's Michael DiRocco was used in this report. __________________

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