Husky Basketball: Shawn Kemp Jr Out 6-8 Weeks

Shawn Kemp Junior, the sophomore power forward for the Washington Huskies, will miss 6-8 weeks with a torn patella tendon. Coach Romar announced the injury earlier today, and noted that the loss of Kemp represents the loss of Washington’s best low post scoring option. While the injury is definitely not ideal, and will force Kemp to miss most of the non-conference schedule, he will be back and should be fully healthy in time for the first conference game at Washington State on the 5th of January.

March 3, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward David Wear (12) blocks a shot by Washington Huskies forward Shawn Kemp, Jr. (40) in the first half of the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

Kemp’s intended role this season was definitely unclear before this injury, as the loss of Darnell Gant to graduation has left an open starting spot at the four. Desmond Simmons has appeared to be the most likely candidate to fill that spot of the various power forwards on the team, and, in my opinion, Kemp appeared to be next in line as the first big man coming off the bench. After not contributing much in his first year on the team, that new role would have been progress for Kemp. Now, that is definitely thrown into question, but there is no reason to believe that he will not be able to earn himself minutes once he has healed, as long as Jernard Jarreau, the player most likely to take Kemp’s spot as the first big man off the bench, doesn’t perform exceptionally well during the non-conference games.