2 min read • January 19, 2022
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Duke freshman guard Trevor Keels left tonight's game in obvious pain after suffering a lower right leg injury in the 2nd half of the Blue Devils 1-point overtime loss to Florida State.
Based on initial video, the 18-year-old suffered the apparent injury when his right foot stuck on the court while he attempted a steal with 10:11 left in the game. His leg was bent slowly and awkwardly under Seminoles' guard Jalen Warley, and he writhed in pain on the ground before being helped off the court.
While the sprain appeared gruesome, our team of ProBasketballDocs do not expect a fracture or long-term injury, and project that he will return this season for No. 6 Duke in time for the ACC Tournament in March.
The Docs are concerned, however, that it is a high ankle sprain, which is more serious and harder to heal than a typical inversion sprain.
Keels was rated as a consensus 5-star recruit coming into the season and is projected to be a lottery pick in the 2022 Draft if he declares.
Keels is averaging 12.1 points with 3.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 steals while shooting 40.7% from the field and 30.9% from 3 for the 14-3 Blue Devils.
UPDATE:
Head coach Mike Krzyzewski said after the game that Keels suffered a calf injury, but they do not know the extent of it.
Our Docs stand by the video analysis of a potential high ankle sprain, as calf can be a general marker for lower leg.
Regardless, it is good news that the injury is lower leg and not knee, and we expect a short term absence and return to Duke soon.
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