Harry Giles Injury: Updates on Duke Star's Recovery from Knee Surgery

Joseph ZuckerOct 3, 2016

The Duke Blue Devils announced Monday that freshman forward Harry Giles had a left knee arthroscopy and is expected to be out six weeks, according to Sports Illustrated's Brian Hamilton.

Continue for updates.

Giles Has History of Knee Problems

Monday, Oct. 3

Giles was the No. 2 overall player and No. 1 power forward in the 2016 recruiting class, according to Scout.com.

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski provided a statement on the surgery (via Hamilton): "We're very pleased with the outcome of today's procedure. This is the right step for Harry at the moment as it will help him be 100 percent going forward. Harry has done a tremendous job in rehabilitation over the last year, and I'm sure he'll continue to do the same after this procedure."

In June 2013, Giles suffered a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus in his left knee. Two years later, the 18-year-old partially tore his right ACL shortly after the 2015-16 season tipped off.

The News & Observer's Laura Keeley reported in June that Duke was being extra cautious with Giles' recovery, and his status for the start of the upcoming season remained in flux.

"Basketball will come for him, but our main thing is to attack the rehab, and he has done that," assistant coach Jon Scheyer said. "He still has to be patient, because we want to make sure we’re going at the right pace with him. But he has done a great job attacking it."

Unless he recovers ahead of schedule, Giles is likely to miss Duke's first few games. The Blue Devils begin the year Nov. 11 against the Marist Red Foxes.

While Giles was the biggest catch from Duke's 2016 recruiting class, his absence wouldn't be a crippling blow for the team.

Leading scorer Grayson Allen is back for his junior year, and third-leading scorer Luke Kennard returns as well. The team also added 5-star recruits Jayson Tatum, Frank Jackson and Marques Bolden, so talent won't be an issue for Coach K in 2016-17, even if Giles is out for a handful of games in the fall.

Note: Recruiting information is courtesy of Scout.com.