C.J. Fredrick likely out for season and will have another surgery this week

C.J. Fredrick hates missing this season with a "special team." (Vicky Graff Photo)

Remember the mysterious leg injury last season that sidelined Keion Brooks for the entire non-conference season? Originally he was only going to be out a few weeks but it turned into months.

Now fast forward to this summer when Iowa transfer C.J. Fredrick underwent what UK called a “minor procedure” on his leg to fix a previous injury that had bothered him even at Iowa. It was not expected to impact his spot on the team this season and he was even expected back for preseason practice.

Kentucky Sports Radio’s Ryan Lemond insisted it was a major surgery no matter how much UK coach John Calipari downplayed the injury.

Fredrick did participate in UK’s Pro Day and Big Blue Madness but not in any contact drills. He did not play in either exhibition game or against Duke or Robert Morris. Now he’s apparently out for the season based on an announcement from UK that he would have surgery this week on his left hamstring. The release said Fredrick is “likely to miss the remainder of the 2021-22 season” and Fredrick certainly seemed to confirm that.

“This news hurts so much because I love this team and we have a great group of guys,” Fredrick said in UK’s 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.”

Kentucky thought Fredrick would provide needed 3-point shooting along with perimeter defense. Calipari didn’t discuss what has changed from the summer operation/diagnosis to now.

“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,” Calipari said in the UK release.

“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.”

However, when he will be back doing what he loves is certainly in doubt as this time it looks Lemond’s initial information on the injury was a lot more accurate than anyone at UK wanted to acknowledge.