Tough news for the Pitt basketball team with the start of the season one week away.
Jeff Capel announced on Tuesday evening that senior guard Nike Sibande will miss the entire 2021-22 season after tearing his ACL in his right knee last night in Pitt’s exhibition win over Gannon.
Sibande left the game in the first half after banging knees with an player on Gannon. Today, Sibande got his knee examined and the MRI results showed he suffered an isolated tear of the anterior crucial ligament.
“I am really disappointed for Nike,” said Capel. “He has been outstanding in his preparation for this season and has emerged as one of the most respected leaders in our program. He has done an amazing job dealing with adversity in the past and I am confident he will tackle his recovery in the same manner. He has attacked adversity by putting in the work, trusting his faith, and maintaining confidence in himself as a person and as a player. We will miss him on the court this season, but I know Nike will remain an important part of our program through his leadership and presence in the locker room.”
Last season, Sibande averaged 6.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in 19.6 minutes per game after missing the first seven games of the season while waiting on his NCAA eligibility ruling.
Sibande hasn’t used his redshirt season so he would be eligible to return and play for Pitt during the 2022-23 season.
The hits just keep on coming
This team can not get a break 😩