LEXINGTON, Ky. — CJ Fredrick’s already-belated basketball debut for Kentucky may have to wait until next season, UK announced Saturday.
Fredrick will undergo surgery to repair a left hamstring injury this coming week, UK said in a news release, and will probably not play in the 2021-22 season.
“This news hurts so much because I love this team and we have a great group of guys,” Fredrick said in the news release. “I have the best teammates, coaches, medical staff, friends and family that will get me back where I need to be. We have a very special team this season and I will do whatever I can to support the team. I am looking forward to working hard and being the player I want to be for next season. I appreciate all the support of Big Blue Nation during this difficult time. My journey looks a little different, but I will be back.”
Fredrick, a native of Cincinnati, has been sidelined much of the preseason. He did not play in either exhibition game nor the opener against Duke. He used crutches to get to his seat to watch Kentucky’s game against Robert Morris on Friday night.
“I really hate this for CJ,” UK coach John Calipari said in the news release. “He worked so hard for us this summer and made such a positive impact on our team and our culture. He has been an unbelievable teammate. CJ has a bright future ahead of him, and after being evaluated by our medical staff and specialists, it was clear the best thing for CJ was to get this surgery done now and get him back on a path to getting back on the court at 100 percent. He’s been great throughout this whole thing and is already itching to get this process going so he can get back to doing what he loves to do.”
Fredrick, who transferred from Iowa following the 2020-21 school year, was seen as being part of a significant upgrade in UK’s 3-point shooting this season. He was the nation’s leading returner in career 3-point field-goal percentage (46.6%) among players who had shot at least 150 shots from beyond the arc.
Fredrick made 83 3-point shots in his two seasons playing for Iowa. He averaged 8.8 points.
The hamstring surgery is the latest medical hurdle Fredrick has faced. He redshirted as a freshman at Iowa after sustaining a rib injury in practice.
The following season Fredrick made the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and averaged 10.2 points. After the season, he underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot.
Fredrick played through a lingering foot injury the following season when a media vote included him as a All-Big Ten honorable mention pick.
Neither Fredrick nor Jacob Toppin played in UK’s victory over Robert Morris. Toppin reinjured a shoulder and is scheduled to have an MRI examination Saturday, Calipari said after the game.
Davion Mintz saw significance in Kentucky winning handily without Toppin and Fredrick.
“It says a lot about our grit,” Mintz said. “The fact is there’s so many different pieces. You’ve just got to be ready. ... Two guys down (and) they’re still supporting. They’re still there for you.
“But we still have more pieces to throw at you. So, it’s a deep roster.”
