All-American forward joshua jefferson The No. 2 seed had to be helped off the floor after injuring his left ankle in the opening minutes iowa state‘S Won 108-74 in the first round. No. 15 seed Tennessee State On Friday, his status for the remainder of the NCAA Tournament is in question.
Jefferson was immediately carried up the tunnel and into a nearby X-ray room. About 10 minutes later, he came out on crutches and when he came out with the rest of the team after halftime, he was wearing a boot on his left ankle.
He put down his crutches, rested his ankle on a stool and watched the rest of the game from the end of the bench. Iowa State officially ruled it doubtful to return, citing a lower leg injury.
The 6-foot-9 Jefferson, who averaged 16.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists, was a second-team AP All-American this season, missing the first team by one point in the voting. He was dominant throughout the Big 12 tournament last week, helping defeat Iowa State arizona state And texas tech Before the Cyclones lose to the eventual champions on a buzzer-beater Arizona.
The Cyclones hoped he would be the catalyst for a team that had not reached the Final Four since 1944.
Jefferson, Iowa State’s second-leading scorer and top rebounder, looked unimpressed while driving the lane for open layups in the opener against the Tigers. But the weight of his 240-pound body came down on his left ankle, which twisted beneath him. The crowd filled with Cyclones fans fell silent and Jefferson immediately fell to the floor.
When coach TJ Otzelbarger and trainers came out to check on him, he rolled over and hit the floor twice with his hand. Jefferson found it helpful to stand with someone on either side of him, and lift him off the floor without putting weight on his injured ankle.
Las Vegas senior begins his career St. Mary’sWhere his sophomore year was cut short due to a foot injury. He transferred to Iowa State and, as well tammin lipsey And milan momsilovicHas helped keep the Cyclones running. Iowa State reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season, losing ole miss As a No. 3 seed.
The No. 2 seed matches the best in Iowa State history this season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
