Injury update on Wichita State guard Craig Porter as Shockers begin AAC Tournament
The Wichita State men’s basketball team will be without its starting point guard for at least the start of its postseason run.
Craig Porter will not play for the Shockers in their 2 p.m. game Thursday against Tulsa in the opening round of the American Athletic Conference Tournament at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth because of a groin injury suffered in practice on Monday.
According to sources with knowledge of the situation, Porter suffered the injury during individual drills on Monday. While he is considered unlikely to play the rest of the weekend if WSU advances, sources said there is a possibility the 6-foot-2 junior could potentially return.
If Porter is unable to return, it’s a blow to the Shockers’ chances of making a deep run in Fort Worth. Porter is averaging 7.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks this season, but has been even better lately, averaging 11.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists in his last seven games.
Porter missed WSU’s Dec. 22 game against Prairie View A&M because of an ankle injury and WSU’s Jan. 16 game against Cincinnati because of COVID-19 protocol.
WSU promoted Ricky Council IV, who recently won the AAC Sixth Man of the Year award, to the starting lineup the last time Porter was unable to play, while junior point guard Qua Grant also figures to play a more prominent role. Grant had his best game in the last three months last week in WSU’s 72-62 win at Tulsa, scoring 13 points off the bench.
.jpg)