A couple of centers on Top 10 teams are on the move.
Duke freshman center Mason Plumlee returned to practice Monday from a broken left wrist, while Villanova center Mouphtaou Yarou is reportedly out for the season with a viral infection.
The 6-foot-10 Plumlee, the younger brother of sophomore forward Miles Plumlee, will dress Wednesday night against Wisconsin and could potentially play if there are no further complications with the wrist.
“We’re still missing one of our kids,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said last week in New York, where his team beat UConn to win the Preseason NIT at MSG. “Mason Plumlee, who I think will be a big addition to our team.”
As for the 6-10 Yarou, also a freshman, he is suffering from a non life-threating viral infection that will likely cause him to miss the rest of the season.
Yarou, a native of the West African nation of Benin, was sent home from the Puerto Rico Classic Nov. 19 because of the infection and reportedly underwent a battery of tests last Tuesday at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.
He was in street clothes for Villanova’s 81-63 victory over La Salle last Saturday and won’t play Wednesday against Drexel.
“We realize it’s very serious,” Villanova coach Jay Wright told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “He’s definitely out of the Drexel game [tomorrow night], but we realize he could be out for the season.”
The story was first reported by Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com.
A top 25 prospect nationally, Yarou averaged 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in Villanova’s first two games. He could potentially redshirt this season because he would have played in less than 20 percent of the Wildcats’ games.
(Photos courtesy Duke & Villanova Athletics)
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