FORT LAUDERDALE, Sporting Alert – Duke forward Amile Jefferson will be out of action indefinitely with a foot injury, ESPN is reporting on Monday.
According to ESPN Basketball Insider Jeff Goodman, the senior has sustained a right foot injury and he could be on the sidelines for a good period of time.
“Duke senior forward Amile Jefferson has sustained a right foot injury and will be out indefinitely, school announces.”
Jefferson, who got to a flying start to the season, is leading Duke on field goal percentage this period — shooting 68.3 percent from the floor and is averaging 30.3 minutes per game.
The 22-year-old is also averaging 11.4 points per game and leads the Blue Devils (8-1) with 10.3 rebounds per battle and averaging 11.4 points and 10.3 rebounds.
Those numbers are career-best for the 6-foot-9 experienced player.
He has three double-doubles on the campaign thus far and has a season high of 19 points which he scored in the term opener against Siena in a 92-74 victory.
Meanwhile, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement: “This injury is unfortunate, to say the least, but Amile is strong in both person and character.
“He will continue to be an integral part of this team, and we will support him fully as he rehabs at White Sands Orlando for his foot injury.” Jefferson is the leading returning scorer for the Krzyzewski’s team that won the national championship last year and the senior from Philadelphia, has started all nine games this year for the Blue Devils.
The injury to Jefferson will likely open up more minutes for talented freshman Chase Jeter, who is averaging just 8.1 minutes per game.
Jeter has featured in seven of the nine games played by Duke this year — playing double minutes in three of those games.
The defending national champion moved up one slot to No. 7 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 Rankings. They will return to action Tuesday when playing hosts to Georgia Southern.
