Here is the official release from the IU Athletic Department annoucing that senior guard Verdel Jones III has torn his ACL:
Indiana University men's basketball coach Tom Crean has announced that senior guard Verdell Jones III suffered a torn ACL in his right knee during Thursday's first round Big Ten Tournament game against Penn State. He was hurt in the first half and the extent of the injury was revealed later that evening in an MRI."This is heartbreaking news," said IU Coach Tom Crean. "His contribution to our program over the course of his career, and especially this season, is immeasurable. He was playing his best basketball and really had embraced his role on this team as a player and as a leader. We are proud of the career he has had at Indiana University and he, as much as anyone, deserved the opportunity to enjoy everything we have worked so hard for and are experiencing as a team. We appreciate all the prayers that have been said on his behalf."
The Champaign, Illinois native is the 23rd all-time leading scorer at IU with 1,347 points. He has played in 117 games (started in 103 ) and averaged 11.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. This year, he averaged 7.5 points and 3.2 assists and was in the midst of his best season as a defender. He had game-winning assists against #1 Kentucky and #2 Ohio State and he his key last minute baskets helped the Hoosiers defeat #13 Michigan and Northwestern. During this recent streak of success for the Hoosiers, Jones was shooting 57.6% from the field and better than 50.0% from three-point range.
He will graduate this spring with a degree in sport communication.
