Sixer Jason Smith injures left knee
The 76ers frontcourt depth suffered a blow yesterday when second-year backup center Jason Smith tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
The 76ers frontcourt depth suffered a blow yesterday when second-year backup center Jason Smith tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Smith's agent, Marc Bartelstein, confirmed the injury, which occurred at a Las Vegas NBA camp in which Smith was participating.
The 76ers also confirmed the injury and said team Physician Dr. Jack McPhilemy examined Smith yesterday evening. The Sixers said Smith will receive a second opinion from Dr. Dave Altchek in the coming weeks.
Bartelstein said Smith planted his left leg while going up for a layup and called the injury "just one of those freak things."
Bartelstein said Smith will have surgery to repair the ACL and will most likely miss most of the 2008-09 season.
The 76ers said they would not put a timetable on his return.
"It's really unfortunate," Bartelstein said. "But he's a hard worker. He's going to get this taken care of and be back to 100 percent."
Smith, from Colorado State, was the first-round draft pick of the Miami Heat (20th overall) in the 2007 NBA Draft. The 76ers immediately traded for Smith, sending their pick, Daequan Cook, a 2009 second-round pick, and cash to Miami.
During his rookie season, Smith averaged 4.5 points and 3.0 rebounds in 14.5 minutes a game.