Kevin Keatts give us a Mike James injury update…

Kevin Keatts met with the media yesterday, talking about the team’s struggles and looking at the upcoming games against Cal and Stanford.

But one question really stood out. It was the question about NC State inured junior Mike James.

James was supposed to be one of the biggest portal grabs for NC State, but he’s yet to see the court. The 6’5 200lb guard averaged 12.6 points, and 5 rebounds for Louisville last season. But instead of being a leader for this year’s Pack team, he hasn’t even seen the floor due to a knee injury.

Here is the question and the answer…

QUESTION| We’ve asked about it throughout the season, but I wanted to ask you kind of a follow up on where Mike James is now at this point. Do you expect to have him at any point this season? Where do things stand with him now at this point with the injury?

He’s actually moved a little bit forward. He’s been doing individual workouts. We’ve done some one-on-one things with him.

I’ve put him in a couple drills with some contact. I just don’t don’t know where he’s at. I would say to you, it’s getting to the point where probably in the next week or so we’ll have a decision about whether it even makes sense for him to play this year or to sit out.

I will say this for everybody’s listening. I know Mike is a little frustrated that it hasn’t gotten to where it needs to be for him to be back on the court. He really wants to play.

Hopefully he takes a positive turn and there could be a chance that he plays this year. I’m not going to rule that out yet, but I think the conversation will be had within about a week or so.

So Keatts is basically saying James is doing drills, but he’s still not 100% and they’re likely wondering if it’s even worth him coming back, losing his redshirt, and risking injury again? Or do you let him heal up and come back next season?

Announcers, on two occasions, have said James is out for the year, but we haven’t heard that officially from NC State. Keatts still isn’t ready to say that officially, but at least we have a timeframe for a final decision.

We’ll let you know in the next week or so when Keatts gives up the final word on James.