Duke standout freshman Jalen Johnson has been ruled out indefinitely with a foot injury, the school announced on Tuesday, ruling the talented forward out of Wednesday’s ACC opener against Notre Dame.
Johnson is averaging 11.5 points and 8.3 rebounds across four games thus far this season and has been identified as one of Duke’s most gifted talents this season and is listed among the top NBA draft prospect.
The 6-foot-9 forward from Milwaukee, showed a glimpse of his talent in his first game for the Blue Devils against Coppin State on Nov. 28 when he recorded 19 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and four blocks in that win.
He followed that up with 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks in a loss to Michigan State on Dec. 1, but failed to score in double figures in the next two games.
Duke (2-2) has been inactive since the 83-68 defeat to the then-No. 6 Illinois last week with coach Mike Krzyzewski canceling the team’s remaining noncoference games this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic spread.
Krzyzewski questioned whether college basketball should continue with the virus surging, but will return to the sideline to coach his team against the Fighting Irish.
After starting the season ranked in the Top 10 at No. 9, the Blue Devils have slumped to 21st in the latest Associated Press top 25 rankings and is hoping for a win in the upcoming fixture.
The lost of Johnson has now left the squad short-handed, meaning the already challenging season looks set to become even more difficult.
After Wednesday’s game at Notre Dame, Duke will not take the court again until Dec. 29 against Pittsburgh.
