Michigan sophomore guard L.J. Cason tore the ACL in his right knee during Friday’s victory over Illinois and will miss the rest of the season.
The school announced the severity of the injury on Saturday. Cason was averaging 8.4 points and 2.4 assists and shooting 50.3% from the field in 28 games off the bench for the Wolverines.
“This isn’t how I wanted my season to end, but I trust God’s plan, and I’ll attack rehab the same way I approach everything — with focus and determination,” Cason said in a news release. “We’ve got many goals as a team, and I’ll be locked in supporting my brothers every step of the way.”
Wolverines coach Dusty May was saddened by the setback that comes with two games remaining in the regular season.
“First and foremost, our hearts hurt for L.J.,” May said. “You never want to see a young man who has poured so much into this program have something like this happen. However, if there’s anyone equipped to handle this and the rehab process, it’s L.J. He’s resilient, he’s disciplined, and he has an incredible support system around him.”
Cason had nine points in 13 minutes as the Wolverines defeated host Illinois 84-70. The victory allowed Michigan to clinch the Big Ten regular-season title.
Cason, from Lakeland, Fla., initially committed to play at Florida Atlantic coming out of high school. But when May left the school to become Michigan’s coach, Cason requested his release and followed May to Michigan.
Michigan (27-2, 17-1 Big Ten) plays at Iowa on Thursday before hosting Michigan State in Sunday’s regular-season finale.
