Butler basketball will not have the services of freshman forward Jack McCaffery for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
McCaffery has been out since the Bulldogs’ game Dec. 6 against Boise State after having emergency dental surgery due to Infected wisdom teeth. That affected McCaffery’s ability to eat, causing him to lose about 15 pounds. McCaffery’s lengthy recovery prompted the Iowa City native to pursue a medical redshirt, preserving his eligibility, while putting an end to his first season at Butler.
“He just got so far behind,” Butler coach Thad Matta said. “He just didn’t have the stamina because he lost 15 pounds. To throw him back in at this stage would not be fair to him. I’m just not sure he’d be ready to go at the level that we need him to right now.”
McCaffery averaged 2.8 points and 1.6 rebounds while shooting 21% from 3 and 75% from the free throw line in limited minutes over nine games. He recorded a career-high nine points and six rebounds in Butler’s win over IU Indy. The 6-foot-9 forward served as a versatile piece off the bench for the Bulldogs, showing the ability to shoot, play make and guard multiple positions.
McCaffery’s injury is the latest in a string of injuries to the Bulldogs.
Point guards Jalen Jackson (ankle) and Azavier “Stink” Robinson (wrist) are out for the season. Freshman Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor, redshirt sophomore Jamie Kaiser Jr. and junior Finley Bizjack have all missed time due to injury.
Oliogu-Elabor and Kaiser have returned to the lineup, Bizjack missed Sunday’s game against Seton Hall with a wrist injury.
Bizjack did not practice Monday and is considered a game-time decision for Wednesday’s game at Georgetown.
“He still can’t flex (the wrist) without pain,” Matta said of Bizjack after Sunday’s loss to Seton Hall. “He said he can’t dribble left-handed. Finley’s a tough kid and we’ll get him back as soon as we can.”
The Bulldogs played eight players Sunday — only Ethan McComb did not play. McCaffery joins freshman Bryson Cardinal and junior Kevin Ndzie redshirtting.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Butler basketball freshman lost 15 pounds, and season. Dawgs injuries leave 9 healthy players
Reporting by Akeem Glaspie, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
