If CJ Fredrick can play, he’s going to play against Arkansas

CJ Fredrick at Senior Night on Wednesday. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Kentucky senior CJ Fredrick has battled numerous injuries during his two years after transferring from Iowa to UK.

He has missed seven games this season and is averaging 6.9 points per game. He’s hitting only 36 percent overall from the field and has made 33 of 100 3-pointers.

He had a dislocated finger earlier in the season before suffering a rib injury against Florida. He played the next game — a home loss to Arkansas — before missing four games before returning against Auburn.

Some social media speculation had Fredrick getting banged up again in Wednesday’s loss to Vanderbilt.

Kentucky associate coach Bruiser Flint said Friday Fredrick had battled through injuries.

“When he gets hit, he knows it’s going to affect him,” Flint said about the rib injury. “He is a tough kid. He battles through things.

“If he is feeling good, he is going to give it a chance. He is going to get out there if he can.”

That was not a guarantee that Fredrick would be in the lineup at Arkansas today. Kentucky needs a win to guarantee a third-place finish in the SEC and earn a double-bye in the SEC Tournament.

Kentucky might also be without freshman point guard Cason Wallace, who went down with an ankle injury early in the second half of Wednesday’s loss to Vanderbilt.

“He fights. He fights. He’s smart,” Calipari said after Fredrick scored six points in 28 minutes against Vanderbilt.

Fredrick was recently named to the SEC Basketball Community Service Team. He has been involved in numerous civic projects at UK. He was part of the telethon and open practice that raised more than $3 million in funding for those eastern Kentucky flood relief victims. He was also part of the 2021 telethon that raised money for victims of tornados in western Kentucky.

Fredrick has also worked with God’s Pantry and visited Kentucky Children’s hospitals and Fayette County schools. Fredrick twice served meals at Thanksgiving at the Salvation Army and participated with the team in serving dinner and singing Christmas carols for families.