We’ll have to wait another year to get our first look at the guard from Orlando.
Photo by Mary Holt/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The first full week of practice for the Louisville men’s basketball team is off to something of an inauspicious start as the program announced Thursday morning that freshman guard Mike James will miss the entire 2021-22 season after suffering a torn achilles tendon in his left leg during practice on Wednesday.
James will have surgery on the leg on Friday.
“First and foremost, I feel for Mike,” said Louisville head coach Chris Mack. ”He’s a phenomenal young man and was poised to have a stellar freshman season. Secondly, I feel for his teammates, coaches, family and friends that have supported him daily. Lastly, I feel for Louisville fans who will miss seeing a terrific addition to our program. I have no doubt however that Mike will be back better than ever next season.”
A 6-6, 195-pound freshman from Orlando, Fla., James averaged 19.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 blocked shots points per game as a senior last season to lead Oak Ridge High School to a 23-3 record and the state 7A semifinals. The 2020-21 Orlando Sentinel boys basketball player of the year, he was also voted Class 7A Player of the Year in Florida by a panel of coaches and media.
Best of luck to Mike on a speedy and full recovery. Thank goodness for the depth of this year’s squad.
