Buzzketball: Johnny Hamilton Out for the Year with Thumb Injury

Virginia Tech Athletics just released the following on Center Johnny Hamilton:

Virginia Tech men's basketball student-athlete Johnny Hamilton has suffered a rupture in the flexor tendon in his left thumb and will require season-ending surgery next week.

Hamilton has been experiencing discomfort in the thumb for several weeks. The injury did not improve, so he underwent an MRI on Thursday, Dec. 8, which revealed the rupture. The upcoming surgery will prevent him from returning to action this season.

"I hate for this to happen to any player, especially a senior," head coach Buzz Williams said. "Johnny has worked hard in his time at Virginia Tech and will continue to be a valuable member of this team, though, unfortunately, he will not be able to play. Johnny will now concentrate on achieving the main goal of any student-athlete, that of earning his college diploma."

Hamilton, a senior center from Rio Claro, Trinidad & Tobago, is in his second season at Virginia Tech. He transferred to Tech last season from Jacksonville College in Jacksonville, Texas. He has appeared in 20 games as a Hokie, averaging 2.1 points and 2.1 rebounds. In three games this season, Hamilton averaged 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game and had made all four of his field goal attempts.

Hamilton's biggest impact this season was off the court as one of Tech's representatives at ACC Media Days, but the loss of his height coming off the bench could be a big story as the Hokies head into ACC play.