Arthur not concerned about leg injury

By Dylan Schoonover

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Darrell Arthur can’t remember a time in his life when he had an injury that kept him out of more than one basketball game.

Arthur said suffering the stress fracture in the lower part of his left leg in early July frustrated him because not only did it cause him to miss the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship in Serbia, it also hasn’t allowed him time to participate in summer leagues and morning conditioning that would have strengthened his game during the offseason.

Arthur was the second Jayhawk injured during the past few months after junior guard Brandon Rush tore the ACL in his right knee in late May.

“I’m young, I’ll have the chance to play another world championship, hopefully,” Arthur said. “Now instead of playing, I’ll be in getting therapy the same time as Brandon.”

Arthur said the therapy would consist of a ball stimulation that runs over the top and sides of his lower leg, near the shin. He said the therapy was not painful but it was important to take seriously because if not done right, the injury would persist.

“There’s just a small pain in my leg,” Arthur said. “Everybody around me says to take it day-by-day and most importantly rehab back completely.”

Kansas coach Bill Self said in a press release that this type of injury wasn’t uncommon. He said he understood the disappointment for Arthur but if it had to happen, the summer was the better time.

Missing games during the upcoming season shouldn’t be an issue for Arthur. He is expected to return from the injury by the beginning of September at the latest. While he said he wasn’t in any hurry to return, Arthur was confident the injury would heal quickly and he would be able to get back to playing.

He said he had to stay positive during the summer. So far, Arthur was only able to log one official game in Kansas City playing for team Fade Away in the Kansas City ProAm league. It could be worse, however: If Arthur suffered this injury during the year, the Jayhawks could have been without two potential starters.

“I’m not worried about it too much. It’s getting better, I just have to stay off it,” Arthur said. “I’ll be back by the first practice for sure.”

— Edited by Joe Caponio

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