Tyrone Wallace Injury: Updates on Cal Guard's Wrist and Recovery
California's quest to make the NCAA tournament has taken a huge hit with star guard Tyrone Wallace suffering a broken wrist. It is uncertain when he will be able to return to action.
Continue for updates.
Latest on Wallace's Timetable for Return
Tuesday, Jan. 19
Jeff Faraudo of the Bay Area News Group reported Tuesday that Wallace has a "broken bone in his right wrist." Cal's official Twitter account announced he would miss four to six weeks.
Cal head coach Cuonzo Martin said about Martin's absence that it will be difficult for the team to play up to its usual standards, per Cal's official Twitter account.
"You lose a key guy like Tyrone, not an easy thing to transition," Martin said. "He is a tremendous leader—a presence from a guy who is battle-tested. Sam Singer is ready to step up and [is] excited for the opportunity. Brandon Chauca, you're the next guy in line so it's time to be ready."
If Wallace is forced to miss the maximum six weeks, he would still be back before the Pac-12 tournament is scheduled to begin on March 9. That's huge for the Golden Bears because he leads the team in scoring (15.4 points per game) and is shooting a career-high 46.4 percent from the field.
Martin has done an excellent job of accruing talent to Cal, with freshman Jaylen Brown averaging a strong 14.8 points per game and fellow first-year star Ivan Rabb ranking second on the team in field-goal percentage and first in rebounds.
The Golden Bears have struggled in conference play, owning a 2-3 record through five games, so they will have to figure things out without their best player—who happens to be a senior leader—in order to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
Martin's young nucleus has to step up and take control of this team in order for the Golden Bears to reach their full potential this season. Wallace's return down the stretch will provide an emotional boost, but it won't matter if the team fails to win in his absence.
