UK's Washington out for tourney opener

Kentucky forward PJ Washington celebrates after a score against Alabama in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the Southeastern Conference tournament Friday, March 15, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

by: Staff

Posted: Mar 21, 2019 / 05:41 PM EDT

Updated: Mar 21, 2019 / 05:41 PM EDT

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Kentucky coach John Calipari says in a tweet that leading scorer and rebounder PJ Washington has a sprained foot and will miss the second-seeded Wildcats’ NCAA Tournament opener against No. 15 seed Abilene Christian.

Calipari also said Thursday on his verified Twitter account that the 6-foot-8 Washington is in a hard cast after wearing a walking boot since Sunday for precautionary reasons. The coach added that specialists confirmed the original diagnosis of a sprain, and there is no fracture.

Washington is averaging 14.8 points and 7.5 rebounds for Kentucky entering Thursday night’s Midwest Region matchup of 27-6 teams.