Marcus Lee Injury: Updates on Kentucky PF's Head and Return

The Kentucky Wildcats basketball team’s already difficult challenge at UCLA became even more imposing when starting forward Marcus Lee went down with a head injury in the first half.

Continue for updates.

---

Lee Ruled Out for Remainder of Game

Thursday, Dec. 3

Lee tallied two points and two rebounds before he exited the game with the injury. Kyle Tucker of the Courier-Journal confirmed the forward would not return and provided some insight into his value to the team:   

Matt Jones of KentuckySportsRadio.com reported Lee may have suffered a concussion.

Lee is a rare veteran in head coach John Calipari’s freshman-driven program who is in his third season. The big man didn’t see much playing time last year and averaged 2.6 points and 2.7 rebounds a night, but he appeared to turn the corner as a primary contributor in the early going as a junior.

He was averaging 22.7 minutes, 8.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks a game coming into Thursday’s contest.

While Lee is an important piece in the frontcourt, Kentucky is loaded from years of impressive recruiting and should have enough pieces to shoulder a short-term setback. Alex Poythress, a senior, is a solid defender and rebounder who can attack the rim off the bounce, and Derek Willis and Isaac Humphries provide depth off the bench and the occasional scoring burst.

The Wildcats also have freshman Skal Labissiere up front as someone with sky-high potential and the ability to transform into a superstar this season. The 6’11” youngster can protect the rim (2.1 blocks a night before Thursday) and clean up the glass, and he is an athletic force inside the paint.

The Wildcats are better equipped than most to deal with an injury, but they need Lee back before SEC play and March Madness to reach their full potential.