INDIANAPOLIS — Butler basketball was without starting forward Jamie Kaiser Jr. on Monday against NJIT.
Kaiser first injured his ankle Dec. 13 in a double overtime win against Providence. He returned to the lineup three days later in a loss at UConn before reaggravating the injury Saturday in the win over Northwestern. Kaiser left the court Saturday wearing a large walking boot on his left foot with a noticeable limp.
The injury is not to the foot he had surgically repaired last season, forcing him to miss the entire season and redshirt. With Butler off until Dec. 30, Butler coach Thad Matta said the time off will give Kaiser time to heal.
“Just a sprained ankle, (we) held him out,” Matta said. “I don’t think he could’ve played today, but this rest here will be good for him.”
Grad transfer Yame Butler started in Kaiser’s place. Butler finished with six points, three assists and zero turnovers in 29 minutes of the 101-52 win over NJIT.
Freshman Jack McCaffery warmed up for Monday’s game but was ultimately inactive as he recovers from an illness. He has missed the team’s last four games.
The Bulldogs already have lost starting point guard Jalen Jackson for the season. Jackson tried to play through an ankle injury he suffered in the second workout the summer, rehabilitated from and reaggravated. His surgery is scheduled for Tuesday.
This story was updated with new information.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What we know about Butler basketball starter Jamie Kaiser Jr.’s injury
Reporting by Akeem Glaspie, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
