Iowa State star forward Joshua Jefferson is unlikely to play in the Cyclones’ second-round NCAA tournament game against No. 7 Kentucky on Sunday.
Jefferson left Iowa State’s win over No. 15 Tennessee State in the first few minutes of the first half on Friday with a severe left ankle sprain. When he was helped from the field to the locker room, he could not put any weight on his left foot, and he was on crutches shortly after the injury.
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X-rays came back negative, but coach T.J. Otzelberger said Saturday that it appears Jefferson will miss the game.
“We are continuing to evaluate at this time,” Otzelberg said. “It seems unlikely, but you never want to rule anything out. So we’re going to continue to do the best we can in his best interest, and we’ll be prepared to go either way.”
Jefferson told reporters he will not participate in the Cyclones’ practice on Saturday.
Jefferson averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds per game for Iowa State and was named a second-team All-American this season. The Cyclones earned a top-eight seed in the NCAA tournament after finishing fifth in the Big 12 Tournament.
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Iowa State easily beat Tennessee State by 34 points, with Jefferson sitting out for much of the game and point guard Tamin Lipsey in foul trouble. Lipsey played only 18 minutes, picked up four fouls and scored three points.
The Cyclones held a 4.5-point lead over the Wildcats, who needed Otega Oweh’s buzzer-beater inside half to beat St. Mary’s in overtime.