Kentucky men’s basketball forward Nate Sestina is expected to miss approximately four weeks after fracturing his left wrist in practice on Tuesday. He was scheduled to have surgery Wednesday morning.
“We haven’t been a full team in over a month,” UK head coach John Calipari said. “Nate goes to shoot a layup, it gets blocked, he falls back, goes to stop himself (and) breaks his wrist/hand. He’s out … approximately four weeks. Now we regroup. Next man up.”
Sestina, a graduate transfer from Bucknell, has played a key part in Kentucky’s 5-1 start, providing valuable on-court production, leadership and experience.
The 6-foot-9, 234-pound forward is averaging 7.3 points and 7.2 rebounds, including a double-double (12 points and 11 rebounds) vs. Eastern Kentucky and a critical 3-pointer in the second half of the win over then-No. 1/1 Michigan State.
Kentucky’s depth has been tested by a rash of injuries this season. Including freshman Dontaie Allen and redshirt freshman Zan Payne, who are working their way back from previous injuries, Sestina marks the eighth different Wildcat to suffer an injury this season.
Kentucky continues its season Friday vs. UAB in Rupp Arena in the final game of the BBN Showcase.
(INFORMATION FROM UK ATHLETICS)