Injury update on Wichita State basketball starter Harlond Beverly is an encouraging one
There was a benefit for Harlond Beverly missing Sunday’s finale at the Myrtle Beach Invitational for the Wichita State men’s basketball team.
It meant he was first in line for the post-game meal.
Spirits were high for everyone wearing black and yellow late Sunday evening at HTC Center following the Shockers’ 88-69 win over Saint Louis to claim third place in the tournament, including Beverly with his box of chicken nuggets.
After a sprained left ankle forced him to exit near the end of Friday’s loss to Liberty, Beverly was walking without crutches and without a walking boot 48 hours later. There was plenty to be happy about for WSU on Sunday evening, including an encouraging injury update on Beverly.
“I think if we were playing in an NCAA tournament game today, he would have played,” WSU head coach Paul Mills said. “But there’s no reason to push it. He’ll be fine with some rest. It’s nothing severe.”
With six days before WSU’s next game on Saturday against Norfolk State at Koch Arena, Mills said he “would be surprised” if Beverly isn’t ready to play again.
For a team short on depth, particularly at the guard position, a limited absence for the 6-foot-5 wing is crucial. Beverly is averaging 8.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals in 25.8 minutes per game this season.
Beverly looked to be in severe pain when he turned his left ankle while defending in this past Friday’s game against Liberty, as the game was halted with 6 minutes, 16 seconds remaining and Beverly was helped off the floor and straight into the locker room without putting any weight on his left leg. He later returned to WSU’s bench while using crutches.
In his absence in Sunday’s win over Saint Louis, true freshman Joy Ighovodja played a career-high 25 minutes with positive results: seven points, five rebounds, four steals and one assist.
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