Joshua Jefferson hopes to return for Iowa State in Sweet 16
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- Iowa State's star forward Joshua Jefferson, sidelined by a sprained left ankle early in the NCAA tournament, is aiming to recover in time for the Midwest Region semifinals against Tennessee on Friday.
- Despite Jefferson's absence, the Cyclones rallied from an early deficit to defeat No. 7 seed Kentucky 82-63, with key contributions from Tamin Lipsey (26 points, 10 assists) and Milan Momcilovic (20 points).
- Jefferson, an NBA prospect averaging 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, is undergoing MRI and intensive rehab, motivated to return and extend his NCAA tournament experience beyond the previous second-round exits.
- Coach T.J. Otzelberger praised the team's chemistry and resilience, emphasizing trust and collective effort to honor Jefferson and continue their tournament run.
- Jefferson, who had scored in double figures in 40 consecutive games before his injury, expressed determination to recover and contribute, viewing this as a crucial opportunity to end his college career on his own terms.
