Kaleb Tarczewski Injury: Updates on Arizona Center's Foot and Return
The Arizona Wildcats' star center Kaleb Tarczewski suffered a foot injury on Dec. 1 that has kept him sidelined, but he could be nearing a return to the court.
Continue for updates.
Latest on Tarczewski's Playing Status
Friday, Jan. 1
Head coach Sean Miller told reporters Tarczewski will likely play on Sunday against Arizona State, per Anthony Gimino of the Tuscon News.
Tarczewski Crucial to Wildcat Frontcourt
Tarczewski is in his senior year with Arizona and has been one of the team's best players during his four years. The 7-footer leads the team with a field-goal percentage of 57.7 and ranks second with 7.2 rebounds per game.
The fourth-year star was injured in the second half of Arizona's game against Santa Clara on Nov. 26. He was hampered by an ankle injury before the season that kept him out of the Red-Blue Game in October, so the Wildcats should be extra careful with the big man to have him healthy for the tournament run.
A small silver lining for the Wildcats is head coach Sean Miller has done a good job recruiting size. Ryan Anderson (6'9") is currently averaging a double-double, and backup center Dusan Ristic (7'0") is averaging 5.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
With Tarczewski on the bench, Ristic will be elevated to a more prominent position in Miller's rotation. Freshman Chance Comanche, who averages less than four minutes per game, will also take on increased minutes for the time being.
Arizona is off to a strong start this season, but the absence of its starting center for at least one month will increase the need for scoring from the likes of Anderson, Gabe York and Allonzo Trier.
