KU's Miles new Big 12 assists leader

[OldTownChief]

What's the word on Simien? Will he be back in time for Kentucky?

[4th and Long]

Out 4-6 weeks.

[OldTownChief]

Originally Posted by 4th and Long

Out 4-6 weeks.

Thanks 4th. That's what I was thinking. That's one hell of a sprain.

[Skip Towne]

Originally Posted by OldTownChief

Thanks 4th. That's what I was thinking. That's one hell of a sprain.

It wasn't a sprain. It was ligament torn away from the bone. They did surgery yesterday so 4-6 weeks from yesterday.

[4th and Long]

Originally Posted by OldTownChief

Thanks 4th. That's what I was thinking. That's one hell of a sprain.

You're welcome. Here's the article from The Star, if you like long reads.


Posted on Tue, Dec. 21, 2004
KU's Simien out four to six weeks
Thumb surgery benches forward
By JASON KING
The Kansas City Star

LAWRENCE — Successful as he's been on the court, there's one thing forward Wayne Simien hasn't been able to do during his illustrious career at Kansas: Stay healthy.

Jayhawks coach Bill Self announced Monday that Simien would miss the next four to six weeks of action because of an injury to his left thumb. Simien, who leads KU in both scoring and rebounding, underwent surgery Monday evening to repair a ligament that Self said had “ripped away from the bone.”

“He could've played in a splint or small cast,” Self said. “But Wayne at 75 percent is not where we want Wayne to be, and it's not where he wants to be. The kid has played with so many nagging things, he deserves to finish his senior year healthy.”

For Simien, a Leavenworth native, the setback is yet another in a career that's been littered with injuries.

He missed the first five games of his freshman season after undergoing minor knee surgery. Shoulder problems kept him from participating in KU's run toward the 2003 national title game. Simien wasn't at full strength as a junior because of a groin pull that bothered him throughout league play.

“This is without question the most minor of his injuries,” Self said. “But it also may be the most frustrating. You can't play without your shoulder and you can't play without your legs. But you can play with a bad thumb — if only you didn't tear the ligaments.”

Simien's injury occurred when he was hacked in the act of shooting in the second half of KU's 64-60 victory Saturday against South Carolina at Allen Fieldhouse. His left hand heavily taped, Simien returned to the game and scored two key baskets for KU down the stretch. But the pain became virtually unbearable after the game, Self said.


Wayne Simien winced in pain after injuring his left thumb Saturday.

An MRI performed late Saturday night revealed that Simien's thumb was strained, not broken. But it was clear he'd suffered ligament damage.

Self said Simien talked with an NBA doctor and a Kansas City hand specialist Monday. Simien also received consultation from the Columbia physician who treated former Missouri star Kareem Rush, who suffered a similar injury three years ago.

At about 3:30 Monday afternoon, Simien decided to proceed with surgery, which occurred shortly after 5 in Lawrence.

“We had the surgeon on call, because if the decision was made to have it done, we didn't want to prolong it,” Self said. “We want to get him back as quickly as possible. It's a decision Wayne had to come to peace about, and I'm sure he prayed about it with his family. We all thought it was in the best interest for Wayne.”

Self said he didn't expect the injury to affect Simien's status in next summer's NBA draft. Analysts are projecting Simien, a national player-of-the-year candidate, as a mid- to late-first-round pick. “It's a minor deal by their standards,” Self said.

Simien's injury is a major blow to a KU team with legitimate hopes of a national title. When starting forward David Padgett transferred to Louisville during the summer, Simien became the team's only frontcourt player with significant experience.

Although he's performed admirably starting alongside Simien in the paint, walk-on Christian Moody is hardly capable of making up for Simien's 17.4 points and 12 rebounds per game.

Freshmen Darnell Jackson, C.J. Giles and Sasha Kaun all arrived at KU with gaudy reputations, but they've yet to perform well enough to demand major minutes. Through seven games Giles, Jackson and Kaun are averaging a collective 9.9 points and 10.1 rebounds.

“All the big guys will have to step up,” Giles said. “I've felt real good lately, and I feel a lot better now. For me it will be kind of scary at first, but I know I can go out and do it.”

Self said Jackson, the best rebounder of the bunch, probably would start in Simien's place Wednesday when KU takes on Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Kemper Arena.

There's also a chance the Jayhawks could play with a smaller lineup, with 6-foot-7 freshman Alex Galindo moving from the wing to the small-forward position. Along with being a strong outside shooter, Galindo is an above-average ball handler and an aggressive rebounder.

“It is amazing to me how, when opportunity knocks, someone will make the most of that opportunity and step up,” Self said. “Our depth situation just got better because we'll force guys to play now. Our depth will get better, and we'll get Dub back 100 percent.

“This is going to be a big bonus for us. In the end you can only look at it that way, because if it's a pity party, no one gets better.”

Self said he couldn't envision a scenario where Simien would miss less than four to six weeks of action, meaning he'd be out six to 10 games. During that stretch, the KU will have have showdowns against top-25 teams Georgia Tech, Kentucky and Texas and tough road games at Iowa State and Villanova.

Self said leadership from veterans such as seniors Aaron Miles, Keith Langford and Michael Lee would be imperative during that stretch.

“Wayne is a 20 and 10 guy,” Miles said. “That has to be replaced somehow — and it's not necessarily the points and rebounds. Wayne is an optimistic cat, a guy who sees the glass half full all of the time. Whatever he has to go through, he'll do it and come back strong.”

A history of injuries

In each of his four seasons at KU, Wayne Simien has missed time because of an injury.


Month Injury Time missed
*March 2000 Strained knee ligament one game
*Feb. 2001 Separated right shoulder six games
Nov. 2001 Hyperextended left knee five games
Jan. 2003 Dislocated right shoulder 22 games
Nov. 2003 Strained groin one game
Dec. 2004 Left-thumb surgery Six to 10 games

* while at Leavenworth High School