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.
Comments
Because we have so many bigs on our team that it's totally cool if we lose another one for the year. Right?
Ugh.
Get well soon, big man.
I somehow didn't remember he was a transfer and thought time was really flying by for him to be a senior. It'd be nice to have him on the floor just swatting shots with a cast. Hopefully he makes a full recovery.
Well sonaba......!!!! Dammmmmmmmmmmmn! Get well soon my man.
When I saw the title I was thinking medical redshirt (not sure how many games he's played in and how recent), but Buzz'a comments sound like he won't go that route. However if we don't get a big in the next class it would probably be something to look at.
Yeah, we're not going to push for a medical red shirt for a guy who was going to play <8mpg the entire season and even less next year.
So, if this injury happened a while ago, why did Buzz say the other day that Johnny hadn't done anything to deserve a uniform?????? Something is amiss here IMHO!
I hope your fingers aren't burnt after typing that hot take
My guess is Johnny wasn't giving his all his practice due to his thumb, Buzz got mad, sat him, and then they found out he was actually hurt.
Only way I could see them pursuing a medical redshirt here is if he could take it with him on a graduate transfer. Otherwise it isn't worth the scholarship based on his level of play so far. Sorry to have someone go out this way regardless and I agree about the assessment that Buzz probably saw a drop in effort not realizing it was a serious injury.
Sad for him and the team. His contribution seemed to be growing and I'm sure the injury was a reason it hadn't grown more. Tech needs all the warm bodies they can get for playing time as they only go 7-8 deep/game