Virginia Tech sophomore forward Kerry Blackshear has not yet played this season due to a lingering shin injury that has plagued him for much of his career in Blacksburg thus far.
The 6’10” 260 lbs. forward showed flashes last season of why he was a highly-touted four-star recruit, but struggled with lower extremity issues more and more as the season wore on.
After missing the majority of offseason activities, including training camp, there was really no sense of when the talented Blackshear would be ready to return to the floor.
Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports tweeted on Tuesday afternoon that per Buzz Williams, there was no timetable for Blackshear’s return to basketball activities.
Virginia Tech's Kerry Blackshear (shin) still has no timetable for a return, per Buzz Williams.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 13, 2016
Initially, there was hope among those within the program that Blackshear would return in time for the start of conference play, which is now just a couple of weeks away.
However, on Tuesday afternoon, a source told Fighting Gobbler that while Buzz Williams did not put a timetable on the return on Blackshear, there is growing concern among those within the program that Blackshear will be unable to play at all this season.
When consulted on the chances of Blackshear returning to the lineup this season, the source described it as “highly unlikely at this point.”
This, of course, would be a major blow to the Hokies as they ready themselves for ACC play. While the team has gotten off to a red-hot, 9-1 start on the season so far, the size down low has been a glaring weakness for the team, which will only be greater magnified against larger frontcourts once conference play begins.
Without the presence of Blackshear, look for the Hokies to continue employing freshman forward Khadim Sy (5.9 ppg., 4.0 rpg.), as well as redshirt senior and leading scorer Zach LeDay (17.1 ppg., 7.2 rpg.).
Additionally, don’t be surprised if Buzz Williams chooses to roll out smaller lineups in ACC play that combine quickness and outside shooting, which is a formula that has been a major part of Virginia Tech’s 9-1 start to the season thus far.
Regardless, the loss of Blackshear will challenge the Hokies even more than expected as they prepare to enter play in the toughest basketball conference in the country.
